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.
More from Defence Notes
-
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
-
Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.
-
European Commission sets out first-ever European Defence Industrial strategy
The strategy set out by the Commission will aim to bolster Europe’s defence industry, foster innovation and strengthen international alliances.
-
Boeing fined $51 million due to unauthorised exports
An administrative settlement between the US Department of State and the manufacturer resolved 199 violations of US regulations including unauthorised exports of technical data to China.