Turkish President RT Erdogan announced that Turkish forces were awaiting the delivery of the first elements of the Russian S400 batteries, the cause of very marked tensions between Ankara and Washington, during the first half of July, which would put an end to at this phase of threats and discussions initiated for more than a year.
Beyond the responses that the American authorities will provide to what they perceive as a serious provocation on the part of the Turkish president, the exclusion of the country from the F35 program, and possible economic sanctions, the entry into service of batteries of S400 in Turkey would be likely to profoundly modify the balance of power in the Western Mediterranean, as in the Black Sea.
Indeed, the S400 would be likely to pose a threat to all air traffic, particularly military air traffic, over a significant number of Greek islands, as well as over part of its continental territory, directly threatening the forces Hellenic air forces, while tensions between Ankara and Athens, particularly regarding Turkish claims on several islands, including Cyprus, have led to recurring skirmishes between the two air forces. Likewise, NATO, which also regularly carries out flights in this area, will be forced to systematically inform Ankara of the presence of its aircraft.
Whatever happens, the Turkish president's announcement will most likely precipitate events, as tensions increase both in the Middle East and with China and Russia...