The process of deploying Russian advanced S-400 air defense missile systems in Turkey will begin in October, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said at a meeting with editors of the Anadolu news agency on Friday.

"The deployment of S-400s will begin in October and the Air Force is studying, in which regions it is better to deploy them," the defense minister said.

Turkey’s defense chief reiterated that the acquisition of precisely Russian air defense systems was not "Turkey’s preference, but was a forced measure."

As Akar stressed, the S-400 surface-to-air missile systems are needed "to protect the country’s population."

The Turkish defense minister also said that Ankara and Washington "are continuing their negotiations on the delivery of US Patriot air defense missile systems to the republic."