Turkey is buying Russian missiles to diversify supply

Subject

Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 missiles.

Significance

Turkey finalised the purchase of up to four Russian-made S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile systems on December 29. This bold move by Ankara has caused consternation within NATO and in Washington.

Impacts

• Erdogan will use missile defence for domestic political purposes, to boost his popularity and defy the West.
• Selling S-400s to a major NATO ally could open further Middle Eastern export opportunities for Russia’s defence industry, including the GCC.
• The sustainability of co-production agreements is uncertain given Turkish weaknesses in R&D, domestic supply chain and export volumes.