18 US arms makers visit Turkey on ‘trade mission’

Representatives from 18 US military industry firms, led by a senior Commerce Department official, have travelled to Turkey on a “trade mission.”

The US bid coincides with a high-profile visit to Turkey by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sanchez leads the delegation of American executives of major arms makers, assisting them with efforts to meet with Turkish officials and executives of defense and aerospace firms from December 3-7 in a bid to expand American export of arms, aircraft and related parts to the country, according to a press release published by the US Commerce Department.

Saying that Turkey has NATO’s second largest military force and a strategic geographical position, the official press release described the Muslim country as “ideally located” for American arms makers to “position themselves to sell to the European Union, the Caucasus, Central Asia and increasingly the Middle East and Africa.”

“Expanding our trade and investment relationship with Turkey continues to be a critical component of President Obama’s commercial diplomacy strategy,” Sanchez said. “This trade mission is an important opportunity to help forge mutually beneficial relationships between companies in our two countries, and continue to strengthen our economic and strategic relationship.”

The ruling government in Turkey reportedly intends to purchase the US-made Patriot anti-missile system, manufactured by the Raytheon Corporation, in a deal worth USD four billion.

Competing with US arms makers, Russia is also reported to be marketing its S-300 anti air defense system in Turkey.

Among the major US arms makers participating in the Washington-sponsored ‘trade mission’ to Turkey are Boeing, General Electric, Northrop Grumman, Sikorsky Aircraft, Bell Helicopter and Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company.

According to the press release, US exports to Turkey rose 38 percent in 2011, totaling USD14.6 billion, over two-thirds of the USD20 billion bilateral trade volume between the two countries last year.