Saturday, 19 September 2009
ANKARA - Agence France-Presse
Turkey's plan to buy a massive missile system, probably from the United States, has left experts wondering whom Ankara sees as a threat in the region and how the multi-billion-dollar project would be financed amid the economic recession.
The project to boost Turkey's defenses coincided with Washington's decision to shelve plans to station missile defense facilities in Europe that have infuriated Russia, which was announced by the Czech Republic on Thursday.
The Pentagon has said it is ready to sell Turkey a Patriot anti-missile system worth $7.8 billion in a move aimed to bolster its only NATO ally that borders Iran. If realized, the project would be the largest single Turkish purchase of military equipment.
Two U.S. companies, among them Patriots' manufacturer Raytheon, a Russian and a Chinese firm have been invited to submit bids in the tender, which the Turkish Defense Ministry says was approved in 2006 as part of the military's modernization plans. It is not yet known when the government will make the final decision, but the plan has already come under fire, with critics questioning Ankara's motives for the costly purchase.
Analysts agree that Washington's interest in stationing a missile system in a country bordering Iran is obvious amid ongoing tensions over Tehran's nuclear program, but say they are perplexed why Turkey should do so at a time when it has notably improved ties with its eastern neighbor.
The Pentagon defense agency stressed the sale was essential for Turkey to maintain "a strong and ready self-defense capability that will contribute to an acceptable military balance in the area."
No threat
And Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, whose government has dubbed its foreign policy objective as "zero problems with neighbors," insisted that the purchase plan "does not mean we are anticipating a threat" from a country in the region. "Turkey faces no threat from any neighbor ... But in which direction will these weapons be stationed?" asked Ercan Çitlioğlu, an expert on military affairs, adding "the first country that comes to mind" is Iran.
"Washington may consider Iran to be a rogue country, but it has in no way displayed any sign of enmity against its Turkish neighbors," he said.
Sedat Laçiner from the Ankara-based Institute for International Strategic Studies argued that the United States’ willingness to supply the missile system was driven by its desire to stem Turkey's improving ties with both Iran and Russia.
Some observers have suggested the planned purchase might have been decided upon the insistence of the influential Turkish military, which is often at odds with the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP.
Others have raised doubts on whether Turkey will have full charge of the systems, stressing that the United States, Turkey's primary military supplier, usually retains control of critical software in equipment it sells.
The planned purchase will also put a serious financial burden on the government at a time when Turkey's foreign debt already amounts to $150 billion and the economy is in a severe recession.
If Ankara decides to buy U.S. equipment, Washington is likely to ease payment conditions and agree to installments over several years, defense industry sources say.
"This purchase is futile. We can build 70 universities in Turkey with that money," grumbled Hasan Koni, a professor of international relations at Istanbul's Bahçeşehir University.
