While the tension started in the Gulf region within the U.S.'s Greater Middle East Initiative aiming to reshape the Middle East has turned into a crisis with Iran's seizing of 15 British soldiers, Turkey is focused on anti-missile defense projects. In this context, anti-missile projects have been on the agenda of Turkey since the first Gulf War and have been accelerated. Projects include systems providing protection from short- and mid-range missiles in the region that could threaten Turkey.
The Defense Ministry Undersecretariat released its first announcement regarding a tender for four long-range anti-missile systems on March 1 and a second announcement for a tender for three middle-altitude anti-missile systems were made last week.
Also, low altitude air defense systems were developed by Aselsan under the name of the Pedestal Mounted Stinger (KMS) and presented to the Land Forces Command.
Giants to compete
In the two tenders, firms producing missile technology from the U.S., Russia and Israel will compete. Among the candidates in the long range anti-missile project are Patriot PAC-3 from the U.S., S-400 from Russia and Israel with the Arrow-2 system.
The choice in the middle-altitude anti-missile tender is expected to be made between the U.S Patriot PAC-2, I-Hawk and SL AMRAAM, Spider MR from Israel and Russian Buk M1-2.
Iran warning from US
Visiting Ankara at the beginning of this month for discussions with the Foreign Ministry and General Staff, Victoria Nuland, U.S. ambassador to NATO, warned Turkey about Iran's missiles. The timing of Nulan's visit to Turkey drew attention as the country has already focused on anti-missile systems. Nuland stated that there are bidirectional studies in NATO and added that the U.S. has been developing a system to protect itself and its allies from Iran's long-range missiles, and those of other countries. "We are working together with Britain, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Poland," she said during the visit. "When we make progress, the system will protect the land of almost all NATO members and there'll be no need for a second system in NATO. But the short- and mid-range missile threat coming from Iran is still valid for countries like Turkey." Nuland added that Turkey and the U.S are working together within NATO to defend against a possible attack. "We have to remind everyone that Iran is not only a threat of the future, but the threat of today in terms of short and mid-range missiles. We have to fight together against this threat," she said.
Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson stated during the same visit that the issue was dealt with in Turkey-U.S. High Level Defense Group meetings held in December. "We suggested Turkey take a closer look at short and mid-ranged missile defense systems and the Turkish govt initiated studies," he said.
The New Anatolian , LINK
The Defense Ministry Undersecretariat released its first announcement regarding a tender for four long-range anti-missile systems on March 1 and a second announcement for a tender for three middle-altitude anti-missile systems were made last week.
Also, low altitude air defense systems were developed by Aselsan under the name of the Pedestal Mounted Stinger (KMS) and presented to the Land Forces Command.
Giants to compete
In the two tenders, firms producing missile technology from the U.S., Russia and Israel will compete. Among the candidates in the long range anti-missile project are Patriot PAC-3 from the U.S., S-400 from Russia and Israel with the Arrow-2 system.
The choice in the middle-altitude anti-missile tender is expected to be made between the U.S Patriot PAC-2, I-Hawk and SL AMRAAM, Spider MR from Israel and Russian Buk M1-2.
Iran warning from US
Visiting Ankara at the beginning of this month for discussions with the Foreign Ministry and General Staff, Victoria Nuland, U.S. ambassador to NATO, warned Turkey about Iran's missiles. The timing of Nulan's visit to Turkey drew attention as the country has already focused on anti-missile systems. Nuland stated that there are bidirectional studies in NATO and added that the U.S. has been developing a system to protect itself and its allies from Iran's long-range missiles, and those of other countries. "We are working together with Britain, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Poland," she said during the visit. "When we make progress, the system will protect the land of almost all NATO members and there'll be no need for a second system in NATO. But the short- and mid-range missile threat coming from Iran is still valid for countries like Turkey." Nuland added that Turkey and the U.S are working together within NATO to defend against a possible attack. "We have to remind everyone that Iran is not only a threat of the future, but the threat of today in terms of short and mid-range missiles. We have to fight together against this threat," she said.
Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson stated during the same visit that the issue was dealt with in Turkey-U.S. High Level Defense Group meetings held in December. "We suggested Turkey take a closer look at short and mid-ranged missile defense systems and the Turkish govt initiated studies," he said.
The New Anatolian , LINK
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