Tri-Service

Putin Sends S-400 Air Defence Missiles Into Syria

Vladimir Putin has ordered state-of-the-art air defence missile systems to be deployed at a Russian air base in Syria following the downing of a Russian warplane by Turkey.

The S-400 missile systems, which will be sent to the Hemeimeem air base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia, located just about 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of the border with Turkey, are capable of targeting Turkish jets with deadly precision.

This is the same high tech missile system that was sold to China, which will be receiving its first batch within the next 12 to 18 months according to TASS reports.

The S-400 Triumf caused alarm earlier this year when Russia sent a number of S-400 Triumf and Pantsir-S air defence to the European exclave of Kaliningrad.

Putin Sends S-400 Air Defence Missiles Into Syria

The Russian president's most recent move though, heightens tensions between his country and Nato member Turkey.

If Russia was to shoot down a Turkish plane, Nato would be required to intervene.

It comes after Turkey downed a Russian Su-24 bomber, saying it crossed into its airspace from Syria despite repeated warnings.

One of its two pilots was killed by militants after bailing out, while his crewmate was rescued by Syrian army commandos and delivered in good condition to the Russian base.