Why is delivery of S-400 missiles to Turkey delayed?
The testing of the battle management and multimode engagement for the Russian-built S-400 air defense missile system in Ankara was both a technical necessity as well as an expression of diplomatic determination for full activation of the S-400s.
On Nov. 25-26, Ankara's skies saw the first intensive military air traffic since July 15, 2016, abortive coup. F-4s and F-16s taking off from Murted Airbase, 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of Ankara's city center, attracted much attention with their low altitude flights, targeting and evasion maneuvers.
The activity is for “testing air defense systems,” said a Nov. 24 statement from the Turkish Defense Ministry. This was followed by heavy media interest in coverage of testing of S-400 radars.
