President Erdogan Says Turkey Discusses SAMP-T Missile Defense System With France And Italy

JAKARTA - Turkey will take 'positive steps' with France and Italy regarding the SAMP-T missile defense system developed by the French-Italian EUROSAM consortium, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

Turkey has been discussing the SAMP-T for the past few years, as part of efforts to strengthen its defense system, including the purchase of Patriot missiles from the United States and the S-400 Triumf from Russia.

In contrast to the Patriots, Turkey successfully struck a deal with Russia regarding the procurement of the S-400, although this decision resulted in Turkey being expelled from the F-35 fighter jet program, in line with US sanctions.

President Erdogan speaks to reporters after the G-20 summit in Rome, Italy, where he met Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and French President Emmanuel Macron, citing Daily Sabah November 1.

Turkey initially switched to the Russian missile system after failing to reach terms during protracted negotiations with the US over the acquisition of the Patriot Raytheon surface-to-air missile system.

Regarding the SAMP-T, Turkey signed a declaration of intent with Italy and France to strengthen cooperation in the joint production of air and missile defense systems in 2017.

Then, in January 2018, during President Erdogan's visit to France, a contract with EUROSAM was signed for the Long Range Air and Missile Defense Project with Turkish partners Aselsan and Roketsan, with a duration of 18 months. However, the process was halted due to France's political stance, according to an earlier statement by Turkish defense officials.