China could test fire new Russian missile defence system in coming days, Tass news agency says
People’s Liberation Army unit has already been trained in use of S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile system, report says
China could put its new Russian missile defence system – which is capable of downing US F-35 stealth fighters – through its paces before the end of the month, Moscow said on Friday, citing an unnamed military source.
The S-400 Triumph, which was delivered just last week, is a surface-to-air missile system designed to complement China’s home-grown defence capabilities. Russia’s news agency, TASS, quoted the source as saying that a first test firing was imminent and could even happen within the next few days.
“It is planned that in late July or early August the unit of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that underwent training in Russia will carry out a test firing against a simulated ballistic target at a Chinese firing ground,” the person said.
Hong Kong-based military expert Song Zhongping said it was very likely the PLA would test the S-400 soon after taking delivery, as its Rocket Force was already familiar with its predecessor, the S-300.
“The PLA has been using the S-300 since the 1990s, so it will be easier for them to pick up the new S-400 than it will be for other countries, like India and Turkey, which are also planning to buy the new defence system,” he said.