World War 3: Turkey buys Russian anti-aircraft missiles as Erdogan boosts defence
TURKEY will install a new long-rang anti-aircraft missile system by 2019 as it boosts its defence amid World War 3 fears.
The Russian-made missile system was sold to Turkey in a high-profile arms deal that is set to address an “urgent” need to boost the country’s defence capabilities, RT reports.
And the eastern state purchased an S-400 battery from Russia, one of the top defence systems available today. It can fire missiles at a range of up to 400km.
Russian forces have used the system since 2007 but the technology will now be used more widely as Turkey can continue to buy Russia’s spare arms technology.
The controversial deal has made NATO uneasy, as it has also conducted drills with Turkey.
Some NATO members, including the US, have criticised the S-400 system as incompatible with the technology used by the rest of the organisation.
US officials hinted the deal may also prevent Turkey from buying American-made F-35 fighter jets as it continues to expand and renew its military force.
But Turkish President Erdogan said Western arms suppliers had failed to offer a “financially effective” alternative to buying from Russia.
He also blasted NATO inefficiency in the matter, saying: “If we have difficulty in obtaining any defence element from some places, if our initiatives are often frustrated by obstacles, what will we do? We will sort it out on our own.”
For months, world powers have been showing off their military strength in an attempt to dissuade foreign leaders from starting World War 3.
NATO powers including Great Britain, the US and Canada united in a Formidable Shield exercise in Scotland in October.
The huge drill saw 3,300 military personnel practise intercepting enemy fire to defend against unpredictable ballistic missiles.
Russia fires HUGE missile during extensive military drills
While South Korea has engaged in naval war games in a provocative show of strength in a bid to intimidate neighbouring dictator Kim Jong-un.
The threatened nation carried out massive live-fire drills to demonstrate its readiness to retaliate against North Korean aggression.
The drills have been accompanied by an arms race in some nations, with South Korea scrapping weight limits on its warheads and considering moving strategic bombers and aircraft carriers close to its border with the North.