2 yıl önce

Türkiye: Greek air defence system's harassment of Turkish jets unacceptable

Speaking at a Turkish Armed Forces' ceremony, Defence Chief Hulusi Akar condemned Greece after the country's S-300 air defence system locked onto Turkish jets last week in a "hostile act."

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Greek S-300 air defence system locked onto Turkish jets last week, said Turkish Defence Ministry sources requesting anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Türkiye's Defence Chief Hulusi Akar has lashed out against Greece over the harassment of Turkish jets carrying out reconnaissance missions over the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.

"The action of our bad neighbour (referring to Greece) needs to be seen, understood and explained. Such blatant insolence, recklessness is unacceptable," said Akar at a Turkish Armed Forces' ceremony on Monday.

Greek S-300 air defence system locked onto Turkish jets last week, said Turkish Defence Ministry sources requesting anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media, describing the Greek harassment as a "hostile act" according to the NATO rules of engagement.

"Unfortunately, this bad neighbour (Greece) is constantly harassing (Türkiye) in various ways in the Aegean. I'd like to make it clear once again that our navy, land and air forces do not and will never compromise on any kind of harassment," Akar further said.

Türkiye's purchase of S-400 system

Türkiye, a NATO member for over 70 years, has complained of repeated provocative actions and rhetoric by Greece in the region in recent months, saying such moves frustrate its good faith efforts for peace.

In April 2017, when its protracted efforts to buy an air defence system from the US proved futile, Türkiye signed a contract with Russia to acquire the state-of-art S-400s.

US officials voiced opposition to their deployment, claiming the S-400s would be incompatible with NATO systems.

Türkiye, however, stressed the S-400s would not be integrated into NATO systems and pose no threat to the alliance or its armaments. Ankara has repeatedly proposed setting up a commission to clarify the issue.

"They (the US) did not give the Patriot air defence system. We spoke to France and they did not give SAMP-T. Then we bought the S-400 system and everyone criticised by asking 'how could you get it'," said Akar.

"But on August 23, an S-300 system, a sub-model of S-400, radar-locked the Turkish F-16s operating within NATO. The action of our bad neighbour needs to be seen, understood and explained. Such blatant insolence, such recklessness is unacceptable," he added.

SOURCE: AA