Turkey has created the Siper complex, a Russian S-400-equivalent interceptor weapon, despite not having access to Russian technology.
According to a Turkish military source, the country does not need to purchase more Russian S-400 interceptors because domestically produced weaponry have surpassed the defensive system’s capabilities.
The introduction of a number of air defence command systems and early warning radars, including ERALP long-range radars, AIR low-altitude radars, and command systems, has shown Turkey’s capacity for military manufacture. and the Korkut self-propelled anti-aircraft cannon, the Hisar medium-range air defence system, the Sungur low-altitude interceptor system, and the HERIKKS air defence control system.
According to Chairman Haluk Gorgun, “Siper is the best illustration of our expertise of defence technology without relying on any external backing.” According to the president of Turkish defence manufacturer Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi.
The leader of Aselsan also stated that the Siper system tests are nearly complete and that this weapon would formally enter Turkish defence forces duty before the end of 2023.
Siper can hit targets more than 100 kilometres away, according to the man. “The Siper complex operates in a highly jammed environment, intercepting stealth targets, cruise missiles, low-altitude planes, and helicopters,” he claimed. Siper’s power is revealed by Haluk Gorgun.
Siper has shown to be comparable to Russia’s S-400 in other aspects, despite the Turkish interceptor missiles’ limited range.
Clearly, Ankara has made enormous strides in the production of self-defense weapons. Because it was not indicated in the agreement the two parties signed in 2017, Russia has already verified that the transfer of a portion of the technology for the development of the S-400 to Turkey was not carried out.
The declaration from the two countries also put a stop to rumours that had been previously circulated in Turkish media that Moscow would transfer the technology of the S-400 and assist Ankara in developing a domestic equivalent known as Siper.
A number of Turkish defence firms have outlined the price and technical requirements for this missile defence complex in order to expedite the domestic S-400 project. Most likely, the procedure will take a year and a half.
Not only that, at the end of 2019, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News also said that Moscow is ready to organize the production of these systems on Turkish territory, if Ankara makes an offer.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that there is currently no discussion of joint production of S-400 air defense missile systems between Russia and Turkey, but it is possible that some hardware will be available. general production.
“It is impossible to talk about the joint production of all the S-400 parts because these are new weapons. But we can talk about the production of some components. Work on the production of some of these components. will take place in Turkey,” Peskov said.
In 2017, Russia and Türkiye signed a contract for the supply of S-400 air defense systems.
The US has repeatedly opposed this sale and imposed sanctions on Turkey, and excluded Ankara from the program of the US-made F-35 fifth generation fighter jet.
