Turkish media reported on Sunday that the government in Ankara has given the green light for tests, and that they will take place in the next two days. Turkish military will fly NATO’s F-16 fighter jets over Ankara this week giving the missile systems a chance to be put into operation. The Turkish government said: “Within the scope of some projects carried out in coordination with the Presidency of Defense Industries, F-16 aircraft and other aircraft belonging to the (Turkish) Air Force will carry out low and high altitude test flights on Monday and Tuesday in the skies of Ankara.”
The S-400 missile systems were delivered to Turkey in July and September this year, provoking widespread concern among Mr Erdogan’s fellow NATO leaders due to security concerns.
The pictures obtained by ImageSat in September showed that, while the missiles were not loaded, they were fully operational, meaning they could gather intelligence on weapons used by NATO allies should they fly over Turkish airspace.
This included NATO’s F-35 fighter jet, which is used by countries such as the US, the UK, Canada and much of Europe.
Last Thursday, a senior State Department official told reporters Turkey needed to “get rid of” the system, Reuters reported.
Following talks between Mr Trump and Mr Erdogan at the White House earlier this month, the US President said discussions were “wonderful” but the issue of Russian missiles being operational in Turkey remains topic discussed away from media microphones.
The US has already suspended Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet programme in a bid to pressure Mr Erdogan into abandoning his growing ties with President Putin.
Despite warning Turkey with the prospect of sanctions, the White House is yet to make a significant move against Turkey in relation to the missiles deal, but Washington’s patience will no doubt be wearing thin.
The actions of Turkey in Syria have also antagonised its counterparts in the US after President Erdogan launched a violent incursion into northern Syria against Washington aligned Kurdish forces.
READ MORE:How Erdogan’s Turkey sees UK and Trump as a ‘big threat’
“Because of this, Turkey thinks that it should act in its own interest by itself and stand up on its own two feet, and when you put these things together, no wonder Turkey decides to deal with its perceived security threats regardless of what the US thinks.
“They say ‘We are going to invade Syria, why shouldn’t we? We are going to buy Russian weapons, why shouldn’t we? Russia is an opportunity to us’. Therefore there is no reason to fall in line with the US’ position.”
Dr Waldman also claimed President Erdogan has “delusions of grandeur” as he aims to surpass Russia and the US.