Russian cargo plane resumes delivering S-400 parts to Turkey

Turkey's defence ministry announced that Russia has begun delivering the second battery of its S-400 missile defence system that has strained ties between Ankara and Washington.

Turkey took delivery of the first battery of the Russian-made system last month, despite strong objections from its NATO ally, the US.

Washington says the Russian system is incompatible with NATO and poses a threat to the US-led F-35 fighter jet programme, threatening sanctions against Ankara.

Read more: How long can Turkey avoid US sanctions for its S-400 missile purchase?

The Turkish defence ministry said in a statement posted on Twitter that the shipment resumed Tuesday as Turkish media reported that a Russian cargo plane landed at an air base near Ankara.

Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Monday that Russia would begin transporting parts of the system's second battery to Turkey on Tuesday.

"Our aim is to protect our country and people from external aerial and missile threats,"  Akar said.

Last week, the US said an offer to Turkey to buy the Patriot missile defence system is now "off the table" after Ankara went ahead with the purchase of the Russian S-400.

A State Department told Reuters that an ultimatum to Ankara to buy the US Patriot missile system, rather than the S-400, had expired.