
S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. S-400 surface-to-air missile systems on streets of St. Petersburg, during preparation of Victory Day parade at Palace Square. , St. Petersburg, on May 5, 2016. (Xinhua/SIPA)
MOSCOW, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Russia is in negotiation on the selling of self-designed S-400 air defense systems with a number of Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries, Russian Defense Minister said Tuesday.
"Countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia have already expressed interest in acquiring the S-400. Negotiations are already underway," Sergei Shoigu said during his ongoing visit to several Southeast Asian countries, according to the ministry's press service.
Potential Middle Eastern buyers include , , Sudan and , Russian upper house's Defense and Security Committee Chairman Viktor Bondarev was quoted by Russia's Sputnik News Agency as saying.
Shoigu said that S-400 system's unparalleled performance capabilities was proven by Turkey's decision to purchase four S-400 systems last year, the press service said.
Turkey was the second member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to buy Russian air defense systems following the deployment of Russia's S-300 missile complexes in .
Shoigu also confirmed that two S-400 missile complexes are on combat duty at Russia's Hmeymim and Tartus bases in Syria.
The S-400 air defense missile system is considered to be the most advanced of its kind in Russia, capable of defeating targets at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km, according to the defense ministry.
