Türkiye in talks with Italy on European missile-defence systems

Ankara is negotiating with Italy to purchase and co-produce European-made missile-defence systems, following recent missile threats from Iran, according to sources familiar with the matter speaking to Bloomberg.

Türkiye has long sought SAMP/T missile batteries, produced by the French-Italian defence consortium Eurosam GIE, to strengthen its air defences.

Previous requests to France were reportedly rejected. However, the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, indicated that Turkish negotiators believe France may now be more receptive.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said last month that Italy plans to send air, drone and missile defences to Arab Gulf nations.

On April 7, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated the first phase of a planned $3 billion production facility operated by state-run missile producer Roketsan Roket Sanayi ve Ticaret. The factory, situated near Ankara, will boost production in coming years of domestically developed missile-defence systems and ballistic missiles, including Turkish flagship Tayfun model.

By Sabina Mammadli