Given the source is a Turkish-based (so effectively government-controlled) media outlet, this is a reasonably well-balanced and informative synopsis of how we got to this point.
Why is Turkey buying the Russian S-400 missile defence system? Why is Turkey buying the Russian S-400 missile defence system?
It does however, have a few 'wobbles'!
The Russian defence system, according to Turkey's NATO allies, will be incompatible with NATO infrastructure.
(Yes, its difficult to have NATO Integrated Air & Missile Defence (NATINAMDS) if a major surveillance system is emitting as a threat sensor and the C2 system requires an air-gap to counter the possibility of embedded malware.)
"The problem is, how do you inter operate in the NATO system with Russians? They'll never inter operate," US Defense Secretary James Mattis
told reporters. "We'll have to see — does it go through? Do they actually employ it? Do they employ it only in one area? All that kind of stuff. But you know, we'll have to take a look at it."
Greece bought the S-300 batteries from Russia in 1997, shortly after coming to the
brink of war with Turkey and
tested it in 2013. NATO allies, with the exception of Turkey, kept silent.
(Yes, but in 1997 Russia was a NATO partner and no longer considered a security threat to Europe.)
In 2015, Greece was reportedly looking to purchase new missiles and other services from Russia in order to keep its S-300 batteries operational. (Reuters)
(Yes, but this is why NATO is encouraging its members to divest themselves of equipment of Russian origin, whether Soviet period or later. It's difficult to impose economic sanctions on a country you are reliant on for defence technology and logistic support.)
Turkey plans to make its S-400 compatible with NATO systems by making an
interface program through IFF coding (friend and foe identification program) to be provided by Aselsan, a Turkish defence industry firm.
"If Turkey relies completely on NATO, IFF system considers all member states as friendly. If there was an attack from Greece, IFF system will not see this as an attack and ignore it. But if Turkey controls its system then it can determine what and who is enemy or friend," Seren said.
(Wonderful that we have 2 allies in the Alliance who remain at daggers drawn!)