The Russian Be-200 amphibious aircraft of the Russian Navy has been sent to Turkey to extinguish fires, the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters on Thursday.
"By order of the Russian President, Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu the Be-200 amphibious aircraft from the naval aviation of the Russian Navy has been sent to assist the Republic of Turkey in extinguishing fires," the military department said.
They specified that around 16:00 Moscow time, the aircraft took off from the Krymsk airfield in the direction of the temporary airfield Adana (Turkey).
"The crew of the aircraft was trained at the Yeisk center for combat application and retraining of flight personnel of the naval aviation of the Russian Navy and has practical experience in performing such tasks," the Russian Ministry of Defense noted.
Maintenance of the aircraft at the temporary airfield will be provided by the engineering staff of the Yeisk aviation center.
The Be-200 multipurpose amphibian can take 12 tons of water. The tanks are filled in 14 seconds at the speed of 150-190 km/h while gliding on the water surface.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS