"Unnecessary tension": in Turkey declared the absence of threats to NATO from the C-400

On Tuesday, July 16, three more Russian aircraft delivered components of the S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems to the Turkish Myurtted air base near Ankara. According to the Turkish Ministry of Defense, deliveries continue in accordance with the planned schedule.

Since the beginning of the operation to transfer S-400 elements, the An-124-100 and Il-76 aircraft have already made 12 flights to Turkey as part of the fulfillment by Moscow of their contractual obligations. Former Turkish Foreign Minister Yashar Yakysh told RIA Novosti that Ankara made a choice in favor of the Russian air defense system, since they were “better quality, more suitable for Turkey’s needs and less expensive” than the American Patriot.

S-400 Uzun Menzilli Bölge Hava ve Füze Savunma Sistem malzemelerinin sevkiyatı devam ediyor. Bu kapsamda onikinci uçak Mürted Hava Meydanı'na indi. pic.twitter.com/JBXJFWISYN

Commenting on the continuing supply of the S-400 and the associated concerns of the Allies of Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt авavuşoлуlu stated that these complexes do not threaten the forces of the North Atlantic Alliance.

“The S-400 systems we receive do not pose a threat to NATO systems, including the F-35. This system will be completely under our control. No need to create unnecessary stress. This is a completed transaction. The delivery process has now begun, ”NTV quoted the diplomat as saying.

Recall that the United States has repeatedly urged Turkey to abandon the execution of the contract for the C-400, in particular, because of the possible threats that the operation of these complexes allegedly entail for NATO aircraft - first of all, the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets.

In Washington, they fear that the ZRK, initially created to fight military aviation of the alliance, could read the parameters of the newest American fighter aircraft and, without the knowledge of Ankara, transfer them to the Russian military. In Turkey, they stressed that the range of the Triumphs would not intersect with the flight path of the F-35.

According to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the purchase of C-400 systems was caused by the need to protect peace not only in Turkey, but also in the entire Middle Eastern region. He added that the first batch of air defense missile systems should be delivered before the end of the year, and the rest of the complexes - by April 2020.

“Buying C-400, we are not preparing for war. We are trying to ensure the peace and national security of our country. All other initiatives to improve our defense industry serve the same purpose, ”Erdogan emphasized.

“Despite the political and military agreements concluded with the Western alliance, the fact is that we see the main threats from their side,” the president added.

Against this background, the Foreign Policy publication has published material in which it states that the F-35 program has become a convenient tool for Washington to put pressure on its allies. And although partner countries should benefit from participation in the project, in practice they become dependent on the United States. Thus, in the case of complete exclusion of Ankara from the F-35 program, Turkey’s losses could reach $ 12 billion, FP writes.

• Fighter Lockheed Martin F-35B US Air Force
• © US Air Force

"One of the best strategic air defense systems in the world"

After the start of deliveries of “Triumphs” to Turkey, the American analytical company Startfor also published a lot of material about the Russian anti-aircraft system. Its experts note that although today the C-400 is “one of the best strategic air defense systems in the world,” it has certain vulnerabilities.

“In the hands of competent and well-trained calculations, modern long-range air defense systems, such as the S-400, can inflict significant damage on the enemy,” writes Startfor.

However, analysts say that modern long-range air defense systems, such as the S-400, are effective in certain conditions. Even the Triumph battalion consists of eight launchers and, accordingly, is simultaneously equipped with 32 missiles. This is enough to suppress the “limited invasion of the enemy,” but if the S-400 battalion acts in isolation, and not as part of a wider air defense system, then it simply will not have enough missiles to withstand a more “decisive onslaught”.

It is noted that despite the considerable radius of action (400 km) long-range air defense systems are vulnerable to strikes by low-flying cruise missiles, especially if the radar performance will be reduced in mountainous areas.

"Thus, the battery or even the C-400 division, acting separately, is vulnerable to a massive strike without entering the affected area and can even be destroyed without knocking down a single enemy aircraft," Stratfor believes.

Summarizing, analysts note that such air defense systems as S-300 and S-400 are not designed for autonomous work and are most effective as part of a wider air defense system, which includes short and long-range air defense systems, missile-gun complexes, radar installations etc. And the wider and denser such an air defense system, the more effective it is.

“In the end, long-range air defense systems, such as the C-400, are not super-weapons ... but with proper support, they can certainly play a decisive role, especially against limited attacks.”

In conclusion, analyzing the effectiveness of the air defense systems of the countries armed with the C-300/400, Stratfor experts note that Russia and China have the most effective structure, and Turkey has an average structure.

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
• © Kayhan Ozer / Presidential Press Office / Handout via REUTERS

"Modern battle - complex"

Commenting on this publication, military expert, retired colonel Viktor Litovkin expressed the opinion that similar rhetoric (about the vulnerability of the Russian systems) is conducted in order to stop the weakening of the US position on the world arms market, which is now being observed.

"And the search for these shortcomings, that the C-400 alone cannot cope with some kind of rocket that will fly between the mountains ... Well, not one of today's systems can cope with this, because in the mountains the locator really does not work effectively, as in open territory. This is an attempt to pull something out of the overall picture and try to stamp on it, ”the expert noted.

The interlocutor RT added that the Triumph air defense system is working in the environment of other air defense systems and radar stations of various levels, so talk about the vulnerability of a single S-400 for low-flying missiles in mountainous areas is comparable to the abstract statements that these air defense systems are “not omnipotent because cannot shoot down tanks and submarines. "

“We must understand that modern combat is complex. There is no one S-400 against one rocket, it does not happen. Why aren't Israelis flying over Syria today? Because they know that Israeli planes can be shot down, including by these complexes. They understand that the C-300 and C-400 can hit their planes, even though they have an F-35. Therefore, all these frills and attempts to justify themselves for specialists are at least ridiculous, ”summed up Litovkin.