US wants Turkey to buy Patriot missiles
The US is trying to persuade NATO partner Turkey to purchase the Patriot surface-to-air missile system, a US official said 16 July, instead of rival Russian equipment.
The NATO alliance is worried Turkey's intent to deploy Russia's S-400 anti-aircraft missile system could provide Moscow with a trove of intelligence on Western war equipment.
The planned purchase has become a major source of friction, and US lawmakers have warned Ankara could face sanctions if it goes ahead with the purchase of the S-400.
Tina Kaidanow, acting assistant secretary of the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, said: ‘We are concerned that by purchasing these systems from the Russians, it will be supportive of some of the least good behavior that we have seen from them.’
She added that the US wants to ensure the systems its allies buy ‘remain supportive of the strategic relationship between us and our allies.’
‘In the case of Turkey, that, in our view, is Patriots and we're trying to give the Turks some understanding of what we can do with respect to Patriots.’
The US last month warned it could block the delivery of F-35 stealth jets to Turkey if Ankara buys Russia's S-400 system.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Spain unveils new multi-billion euro defence investment plan]()
Spain unveils new multi-billion euro defence investment plan
The new plan outlined how Spain would reach 2% of its GDP spend on defence by 2025, with €1.9 billion earmarked for new equipment acquisition with several land, naval and air platforms disclosed to be replaced or upgraded.
-
![New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia]()
New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
-
![UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”]()
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
-
![Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees]()
Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees
The Australian Budget was marked by tax cuts and a looming general election which led to little hope that there would be a substantial defence boost even with a big bill for nuclear submarines due.
-
![Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market]()
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
