‘Turkey to finalize missile talks’

A Turkish official says the country is aiming to finalize its negotiations with China over the procurement of a missile defense system by April.

Murad Bayar, undersecretary for the state-run defense industries, made the remarks to reporters on Thursday regarding the FD-2000 missile defense system, which Turkey has chosen over rival offers.

The Turkish government said in September it had chosen the system over offers from Franco-Italian Eurosam SAMP/T and US-listed Raytheon Co.

It said China offered the most competitive terms and would allow co-production in Turkey.

Last November, US Air Force General Philip Breedlove, who is the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, called on Turkish authorities to rethink the decision.

Breedlove also stated that Ankara should purchase a missile defense system that is compatible with other NATO systems.

“In my conversations with the Turkish military… the important point is that we have systems that are completely inter-operable and… suitable for plugging in to NATO networks,” Breedlove said.