ANKARA, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Turkey is very close to striking
a deal to buy a second S-400 system from Russia, and the deal
could be signed before April when the first batch of missile
defences will be ready to use, Ankara's defence industry said on
Friday.
Turkey's talks with Russia over technology transfer and
joint production on the second batch of S-400 defences has
continued, the head of the Turkish Defense Industry Directorate,
Ismail Demir, told a small group of journalists.
Demir added that Ankara was still interested in buying U.S.
Patriot defences and had no pre-conditions for talks. Washington
however has repeatedly asked Turkey to give up on the S-400
purchase, which has strained ties between the two NATO allies.
(Reporting by Ece Toksabay and Orhan Coskun; Editing by
Jonathan Spicer)
Rolls-Royce (RR.)
