Turkey will begin works for the deployment of the Russian made S-400 air defense systems by October 2019, the defense minister has said, informing that selected military personnel will be sent to Russia for training on how to use the sophisticated anti-ballistic weapons.

“As a result of the deal signed with Russia, the process has begun. By October 2019, works for the deployment of these systems will begin. We are in a process of selecting the military personnel. The selected personnel will be sent to Russia for training by the beginning of 2019. They will get the necessary training there and then will take up their position,” Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told state-run Anadolu Agency in an interview on Oct. 25.

Earlier statements by both countries suggested July 2019 as the date of the deployment of these systems into Turkey.

More: Turkey says Russian S-400 systems installation to begin October 2019