Turkey To Get Second Batch Of S-400s On Aug 27

Turkish Defense Minister on Monday announced that the country will receive second batch of Russian S-400 air defense systems on August 27.

"The process of transporting and delivering the second battery of the S-400 to Turkey will begin tomorrow," Hulusi Akar, defense minister of Turkey, said in a live broadcast of NTV television channel.

The NATO-ally struck a $2.5 billion deal with Russia for the defense systems in 2017, irking the United States. First phase of shipments began on July 12 and was completed on July 25.

Ankara was kicked out of F-35 program by irked US after deliveries of S-400 began. The US was trying to persuade Turkey not to buy Russian systems saying it threatened the safety of the F-35 fighter jet.