Key U.S. Allies Purchasing Russian S-400 Air Defenses?

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By Kris Osborn – Warrior Maven

(Washington D.C.) Iran and China are among the group of nations known to operate Russian-built S-400 air defenses, a scenario which has of course inspired attention and concern from the U.S., particularly given the chance that they might be upgraded.

However, what about India and Turkey? They are also among the group of S-400 customers, yet they are U.S. allies, a circumstance which led several reporters to ask U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin if he was concerned that they might seek to acquire more? Would they be sanctioned?

During his recent trip to India, Austin addressed reports that India may be contemplating a new purchase of Russian air defenses. Regarding any potential future S-400 acquisition considerations, Austin encouraged countries weighing such a possibility to “move away from that and really avoid any kind of acquisitions that would trigger sanctions on our behalf.”

Austin did not dismiss the possibility that India might ultimately seek to acquire the system, he did say that there has, at least as of yet ”been no delivery of an S-400 system,” adding that he and the Indian Minister of Defense did address the U.S. concern.

The Indian circumstance is closely mirrored by Turkey, a U.S. ally currently reported to be considering acquiring the Russian-built S-400. In response to Turkey, Austin’s comments aligned closely with his position on India, saying that there would be no need for sanctions given that no S-400s have actually been acquired.