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The US State Department last week condemned attempts by NATO ally Turkey to crack down on sanctions if the S-400 complexes were activated.
“The talks about the tests are true, they have been carried out and will continue to be carried out,” RT Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul, commenting on reports last week that the Turkish army had fired a test shot from the systems. S-400.
“We are not going to ask the Americans for permission,” he added.
Mr. Rogogan emphasized that the US position on the issue was in no way “binding” on Turkey, adding: “If we don’t test what we have in our hands, what are we left with?”
Washington had hoped to “keep unpacked” Russian weapons purchased in Ankara, but Turkey has always said that the S-400, delivered last year, will be deployed.
“We have also clearly warned of the potentially serious consequences for our security relations if Turkey activates the system,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said last Friday.
However, Ankara accuses Washington of not selling its American weapons, the Patriot systems, and claims that it acquired Russian systems to meet its defense needs.
Turkey faces sanctions under a 2017 US law known as CAATSA, which sets penalties for any “significant” arms sales deal with Russia.
Turkey has already been excluded from the F-35 fighter program due to the acquisition of the S-400.
Air defense systems have been tested against particular stresses in Turkey’s relations with NATO allies, the United States, France and Germany. The tensions have been fueled by Ankara’s decision this month to resume energy exploration in waters claimed by another member of the Alliance, Greece.
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