TURKEY: The first shipment of Russian S-400 surface-to-airmissile system has arrived in Turkey, the Turkish Defence Ministry said Friday.The Western Asian nation's acquisition of the Russian system has been a major asource of tension with the United States. The first components of the systemwere delivered to the air base in Murted near Turkish capital Ankara on Friday,the defense ministry said in a statement. Delivery of remaining parts of theRussian S-400 defence system will continue in coming days, it added.

While there's no immediate reaction from the Trumpadministration, the development is likely to trigger sanctions from the UnitedStates. American officials have warned of dire repercussions such as cancellingsales of US F-35 fighter jets to Ankara. The two NATO ( North Atlantic TreatyOrganization) allies have sparred for months over Turkey`s order for theS-400s, which are not compatible with the transatlantic alliance's systems.

India has also decided to augment its air defence with theRussian S-400 Triumf missile system, sealing the deal in October 2018.

The S-400 missile system can engage targets independently aswell as after receiving data from other radars. It is the fourth generation oflong-range Russian Surface-to-Air-Missiles (SAMs). The highly mobile,ground-based S-400 Triumf can detect, track and shoot down multiple targetsincluding cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, aircraft, drones, unmannedaerial vehicles (UAVs). It can target ballistic missiles in their terminal(descent or reentry) phase. The entire system consists of a multifunctionradar, autonomous detection and targeting systems, anti-aircraft missilesystems, launchers, command and control centre.