The Turkish military has begun new tests of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems against American F-16 and F-4 fighters at the Muirted air base near Ankara, Fighter Jets World reported.
According to the portal, the tests began on July 4 and will last until November 26.
At the same time, Turkey, the newspaper notes, ignored warnings from the US about possible sanctions in the event of testing. Fighter Jets World quotes excerpts from the province's leadership, according to which the fighters will fly at high and low altitudes.
Last fall, the Turkish military also tested the S-400 against American fighters that flew over Ankara at various altitudes, and the systems controlled the skies over the Turkish capital.
The purchase of Russian S-400 provoked a crisis in relations between Ankara and Washington. Deliveries of the systems began last summer, but the US authorities demanded that the Turkish partners abandon the deal and purchase Patriot complexes. In case of refusal, US threatened to delay or even cancel the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey and impose sanctions, but Ankara refused to make concessions.
Russia has fulfilled the first contract for the supply of four S-400 divisions to Turkey in the amount of 2.5 billion dollars. Subsequently, the parties reached an agreement on the second batch.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: EPA / MAXIM SHIPENKOV / TASS
Based on materials from RIA Novosti