ANKARA – Turkish Air Force former General Beyazit Karatash has said thatthe Russian S-400’s efficiency is greater than that of the Patriot system.According to him, the main argument “for” the US defense system is itscompatibility with other NATO systems, but it’s a small consolationfor buying “unfit” weaponry.

He also mentioned another significant drawback. Unless his country fullycontrols the system it possesses, plotters could be able to conductairstrikes whenever they want, as they did on July 15, 2016.

He is adamant that the coup was a CIA plot and thus it is unacceptableto buy defense systems from the US, otherwise Turkey will be exposed.According to the former general, the S-400 does not have this drawback.

“Buying the S-400 instead of the Patriot will provide Turkey with not onlytechnological, but also political advantages in case the situation repeatsitself,” Beyazıt Karatash said.

He also noted that sticking to the Turkish-Russian agreement willstrengthen Turkey’s image as a reliable partner, whilst violating it willtarnish it as untrustworthy.

Information about the future negotiations between Turkey and the USon buying Patriots instead of Russian S-400 systems recently surfacedin Turkish media. The news comes almost a week after a group of USlawmakers suggested punishing countries buying S-400 air defense systemsfrom Russia under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through SanctionsAct (CAATSA).