Exclusive-France Softens Stance on Turkey SAMP/T Air Defence Sale, Sources Say
Five sources said France’s shift could lead to more substantive talks on the Franco-Italian system, which can track dozens of targets and intercept ballistic missiles.
- On Monday, sources confirmed France is open to selling the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air-defense system to Turkey, shifting its long-standing opposition and potentially enabling substantive talks with Ankara.
- The project stalled for years as ties deteriorated over disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean, but momentum returned following recent discussions between French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
- Seeking to bolster its missile defenses, Turkey aims to integrate the system into its 'Steel Dome' network, addressing its heavy reliance on NATO systems and fighter jets.
- Any potential sale must account for France's Status of Forces Agreements with Greece and Cyprus, which require careful diplomatic navigation to avoid friction.
- Despite the French presidency citing 'significant inaccuracies' regarding the report, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Macron will discuss bilateral issues at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.
15 Articles
15 Articles
EXCLUSIVE: France softens stance on Turkey SAMP/T air defence sale, sources say
France softens stance on selling Franco-Italian air-defense system to Turkey, sources say
France's foreign ministry declined to comment and referred to the French presidency, as did the defense ministry. Turkey's foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
France, after years of resistance, is ready to discuss the possible sale of SAMP/T to Turkey, but the negotiations are at an initial stage.
It has been claimed that France has changed its approach regarding the sale of SAMP/T air defense systems to Türkiye. Commenting on the development on A Haber, reporter Ömer Aydın stated that the changing security balance in Europe has brought defense cooperation with Turkey back to the forefront, adding, "There is talk of sending SAMP/T air defense systems to Türkiye, and even joint production these days."
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- 50% of the sources are Center
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