TASS: Turkey tested Russia’s S-400 air defense systems on US-made planes

* Photo: AA Archive

Click to read the article in Turkish

In an article published earlier today (July 8), the Russia-based news agency TASS has alleged that "Turkey tested Russia's S-400 air defense systems on United States (US) made F-16 planes last year."

Reporting on the statement of "a source who is close to Turkey's defense industry," the TASS has also indicated that "several media reported with reference to the Fighter Jets World portal that the Russian-made missile systems had been tested on US aircraft."

"The portal published a video footage by Turkey's TRT channel, featuring Russia's S-400 systems and US-made F-16 and F-4 aircraft, which was released via its official Youtube account on November 29, 2019."

As for the anonymous source of the website, he or she reportedly said, "Yes, such trials indeed took place last November."

Within this context, the news report has also reminded that "on November 25, 2019, CNN Turk reported that various aircraft, including F-16 fighter jets, were scrambled near Ankara to test S-400."

Turkey's military reportedly tested communication between the air defense systems and the aircraft during those exercises.

Letter by four US senators

On the other side, four Republican and Democrat Senators have penned an open letter to US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper against Turkey.

Penned by US Senators James Lankford, Jeanne Shaheen, Thom Tillis and Chris Van Hollen, the letter has raised concerns about "the pace at which the Department of Defense is working to remove Turkey from the supply chain of the F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter."

"As you know, we have worked together in the Senate on issues of U.S.-Turkey relations for several years and remain concerned about the direction Turkey is taking under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan," the Senators have noted and briefly added:

"These concerns have compelled us to introduce several bills in recent years aimed at ensuring appropriate consequences for Turkey's behavior."

"The legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump sent a clear diplomatic message to Turkey about the consequences of moving forward with Russian defense systems and technology.

"Unfortunately, that strong message is being undermined by the Department's repeated delays in removing Turkey from the supply chain.

"By keeping Turkish manufacturers in the supply chain two years after the initial statute took effect and well beyond the Pentagon's self-imposed deadline, the Department is impeding our nation's diplomatic and geopolitical efforts to pressure Turkey to reverse course."

A brief summary of S-400 crisis

Turkey and Russia signed a 2.5-billion-dollar deal for S-400 air defense systems in September 2017, which caused an escalating tension between Turkey and the US. Despite the objections from the NATO, the first parts of the S-400s were delivered to Turkey in July 2019.

Due to S-400s, Turkey has been excluded from the F-35 fighter jets program, of which it had been a part for years and made payments. The country has also been unable to receive the jets that were produced for itself. (PT/SD)