United Kingdom | S-400s constitute a “threat” to NATO’s interoperability

The purchase of the S-400 Russian air defence system by Turkey constitutes a ‘threat’ to NATO’s interoperability that is not compliant with the systems of the Alliance, says the UK Defence Minister, Jeremy Quinn, in a letter to the Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus, Sir Roger Gale.

In his response, Sir Roger, a Conservative MP for decades and an ardent friend of Cyprus, had noted the concerns raised by Ankara’s moves and had cited a similar letter sent to the Foreign Office of representatives of the Cypriot, Armenian, Kurdish and Egyptian communities in the United Kingdom.

Also read: Stoltenberg | “Turkey is an important ally, the second largest NATO military force”

The letter of the UK Under-Secretary of State for Defence refers to the long-lasting bilateral defence relationship between the United Kingdom and Turkey, as NATO provides for its allied countries.

It is noted, however, that London expects allied countries not to purchase or operate Russian military equipment.

The Under-Secretary added that Turkey was told several times that the purchase of Russian S-400s is a threat that is not compliant with NATO systems.

In addition, the letter adds that the British government will continue to discuss its concerns with Turkey and urge it to comply with NATO commitments.

With regard to UK arms exports to Turkey, it is noted that each application is assessed separately on the basis of strictly established criteria and that no arms export licenses are granted if they are found to be in violation of human rights and international law.

It is noted that late last year the British government decided to suspend the approval of licenses for arms exports to Turkey as it feared their use in Syria.

Also read: Menendez | “I am not concerned about the threats of Turkey, any response will be turned against them” 

Source: CNA