Opposition MHP leader slams NATO for criticizing decision to buy S-400

NATIONALIST Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli yesterday slammed NATO for commenting on Turkey’s purchase of S-400 missile defense systems from Russia, saying that Turkey has the right to purchase any weapon when it is needed without asking anyone.

Speaking at the MHP parliamentary group meeting, in response to NATO’s statement on Oct. 26 that Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 missile systems will have con- sequences for the country, Bahçeli said that Turkey is an independent country and has the right to buy any weapon independently of NATO.

Czech Gen. Petr Pavel, the head of NATO's Military Committee, had criticized Turkey in Washington for purchasing the Russian S-400 missile air defense system.

He said: "The same way that nations are sovereign in making their decision, they are also sovereign in facing the consequences of that decision."

“Turkey can purchase any weapon from any country by paying the price in accordance with its needs,” Bahçeli said. He added that Turkey will not give account of any of its purchases to NATO or anyone else. "We can buy weapons from whoever we want, and we never have to justify this to NATO.”

The S-400 missile defense system is Russia's most advanced long-range anti-aircraft missile system and can carry three types of missiles capable of destroying targets, including ballistic and cruise missiles.

It can track and engage up to 300 targets at the same time and has an altitude ceiling of 27 kilometers.

Bahçeli also questioned NATO’s benefits for Turkey. “When Turkey has been struggling with attacks threatening its security, what was NATO doing and planning?” he asked. He added that Turkey will not take NATO’s remarks seriously if Turkey is under a threat.

Citing that the Turkish Armed Force’s (TSK) operation in Idlib is continuing as part of the Astana talks, Bahçeli said that Turkey should mount an operation on Afrin following the completion of its Idlib operation. “Our borders with Iraq and Syria should be secured,” Bahçeli said. He added that operations against the PKK should continue at full throttle.