Foreign Affairs: Xinhua News Agency reported today that Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense announced on Tuesday that NATO will deploy the Italian-made SAMP-T missile defense system in the central province of Konya to enhance the country’s air security.
In a statement, the ministry said the measure is being implemented under NATO’s permanent defense plan and aims to strengthen the alliance’s air defense.
The statement said the Italian system will be stationed at the 3rd Main Air Base Command in Konya.
The SAMP-T, jointly developed by France and Italy, is a mobile surface-to-air missile system. Designed to intercept a range of threats, including ballistic missiles.
NATO has already strengthened its presence in southeastern Turkey by deploying additional Patriot missile launchers to Incirlik Air Base in Adana province.
Translator: Sun Li
