Italy to deploy air defence system in central Turkey

TDT | Manama | Email : online@newsofbahrain.com 

Italy will deploy a SAMP/T air defence system to central Türkiye as part of NATO’s efforts to strengthen the alliance’s air defence capabilities, Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense announced on Tuesday.

The ministry said the Italian-operated system will be stationed at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in the city of Konya under NATO’s standing defence plan.

According to the ministry, the deployment is intended to reinforce the alliance’s integrated air defence network and enhance protection against potential aerial threats in the region.

The SAMP/T system, jointly developed by France and Italy, is a mobile surface-to-air missile platform capable of intercepting fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles, and certain types of ballistic missiles.

The announcement comes amid heightened regional security concerns. NATO forces stationed in Türkiye have reportedly intercepted multiple ballistic missiles launched from Iran since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East earlier this year.

In response to the evolving security environment, NATO has expanded its air defence presence in Türkiye, including the deployment of an additional Patriot missile battery at Incirlik Air Base in the country’s south.

During a visit to Ankara in April, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to collective defence, stating that NATO would do “what is necessary” to protect its member states, including Türkiye.

The latest deployment highlights NATO’s continued focus on strengthening its defensive capabilities across the region ahead of the alliance summit scheduled to be hosted by Türkiye on July 7 and 8.