Türkiye Seeks Joint Production of SAMP/T Air Defense Systems with Italy

Türkiye is in talks with Italy to purchase and jointly produce European SAMP/T air defense systems.

Ankara aims to use these systems to build its own multi-layered missile defense shield, the Steel Dome, Bloomberg reports.

The need to strengthen its defenses became critical after NATO forces intercepted four Iranian missiles launched toward Türkiye since the start of the conflict in the Middle East.

Turkish diplomats expect that France, which previously blocked this cooperation within the Eurosam consortium, will support the request this time.

Türkiye and Eurosam signed a preliminary agreement on joint development back in 2018, but France’s objections halted further progress. Now, the Turkish side believes that the changing security situation in the region could prompt partners to reconsider technology export conditions to strengthen the Alliance’s southeastern flank.

The SAMP/T system can destroy aerodynamic targets at ranges up to 150 km and altitudes up to 25 km. It can also engage ballistic missiles at ranges of up to 25 km and at similar altitudes.

The system is based on the French solid-fuel Aster-30 surface-to-air missile.