NATO Shuns Turkey’s Chinese Missiles Over Security Concerns

Turkey may be backing off its decision to buy its missile defense systems from China, after getting strong criticism from its NATO allies, including the United States, for the proposed purchase.
NATO Shuns Turkey’s Chinese Missiles Over Security Concerns
Joshua Philipp
11/13/2013
Updated:
11/13/2013

Turkey may be backing off its decision to buy its missile defense systems from China, after getting strong criticism from its NATO allies, including the United States, for the proposed purchase.

Turkey was looking to buy Surface to Air (SAM) missiles and was taking bids for the contract. SAMs are used to intercept aircraft and missiles, and the NATO missile defense network acts to defend NATO allies from foreign attacks.

To the surprise of its allies, Turkey announced on Sept. 26 it selected the FD-2000 SAM system. The $3.44 billion system is from China’s state-owned defense firm China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp (CPMIEC).

NATO allies use an interconnected system for missile defense. Publicly, officials of different countries were asking Turkey to purchase from a different country on the grounds that China’s missiles defense system is not compatible with NATO systems.

Yet, IHS Jane’s has a different side of story. The intelligence company spoke with U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) on the topic. The general hinted that the real controversy with the Chinese missiles is about network security.

“We are extremely keen that NATO partners consider equipment that is not only compatible, but is acceptable to plug into the networks we control,” Breedlove told IHS Jane’s.

He added that the system needs to “have the same security requirements to a NATO system.”

A Turkish newspaper, the Hurriyet Daily News, quoted an unnamed military diplomat from a NATO member state saying “NATO’s own command and control system that ’mashes’ input from allied networks is far more important than a Chinese air defense system in Turkey.”

“There is no place for China within this critical system,” the official said. “We would not wish to see a virus in a complex system.”

U.S. and NATO officials have been vocal about Turkey’s decision. U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone told reporters on Oct. 24 the United States was speaking with Turkey about its concerns, Reuters reported.

Turkey is now backing down on the Chinese SAMs. On Nov. 8, Turkish defense minister Ismet Yilmaz has asked for new bidders on the contract.

“If there is deadlock with the first bidder, we will turn to the second bidder,” he said, Reuters reported. “So we said, extend the validity of your bids, this is what we have asked.”

Turkey will likely now select a missile defense system from a country other than China. If the SAM deal had gone through, it would not have been the first purchase of Chinese missile systems by Turkey.

Turkey showed off several Chinese missile systems during its August 30, 2009, Victory Day parade. They included China’s B-6111 Heavy Long Range Rockets, and WS-2 Long Range MRLs (multiple rocket launcher).

Joshua Philipp is an award-winning investigative reporter with The Epoch Times and host of EpochTV's "Crossroads" program. He is a recognized expert on unrestricted warfare, asymmetrical hybrid warfare, subversion, and historical perspectives on today’s issues. His 10-plus years of research and investigations on the Chinese Communist Party, subversion, and related topics give him unique insight into the global threat and political landscape.
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