Turkey carries out first tests with S-400s

Turkey carried out the first tests of the radar of the S-400 air defence systems it is procuring from Russia with its F-16 and F-4 fighters on 25–26 November, Turkish media reported.

Turkey carried out the first tests of the radar of the S-400 air defence systems it is procuring from Russia with its F-16 and F-4 fighters on 25–26 November. (Getty Images)

The Ankara governor’s office announced on 24 November that Turkish Air Force (TuAF) fighters would conduct low- and high-altitude flights over the Turkish capital on the following two days to test an air defence system.

Asked about the tests, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar replied on 26 November that Turkey’s work on S-400s continues as planned.

Also on 26 November, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said, “We have no commitment to anyone that we will not install or use the S-400s. We bought the S-400s because we needed them. Will an air defence system be bought to keep it in a box?”

Turkish fighters conducted the tests with S-400s near and around the Mürted Air Base in the Ankara suburb where two batteries with eight S-400 launchers each arrived between July and September.

S-400 missiles are not believed to have been delivered to Turkey yet. The air defence system is scheduled to become fully operational by April 2020.