Mehmet Şimşek announces Turkey's 'new air defense system', bringing S-400s to mind! 'An Iron Dome will be built...'

NEWS CENTER

The submission of a legislative proposal to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), which envisages a 750 lira annual deduction for the Defense Industry Support Fund from those with credit card limits over 100 thousand lira, has sparked controversy.

Following the debate, many people began lowering their limits to 99,999 TL or less. 

Evaluating the issue in an interview with NTV, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek defended the fund and stated that an Iron Dome would be built.

'AN IRON DOME WILL BE BUILT'

Minister Şimşek said the following:

"The defense industry fund is a fund outside the budget. Resources are needed for defense projects; an Iron Dome will be built and an air defense system will be established with the 750 TL deduction to be made from credit cards. We are in a difficult geography, we must increase our deterrence power. We have to provide additional resources for defense industry projects. Not a single penny of this money will go to the budget. It will all be transferred to the defense industry. This package was prepared entirely to provide resources for defense. The Ministry of Treasury and Finance has no involvement here. This is not a measure package prepared for budget needs. Since it is a special fund, it is impossible for it to be spent outside of the defense industry."

'S-400 COMES TO MIND'

Following the rise in tensions in Syria and the downing of a Russian jet, the negotiation process between Turkey and Russia led to the purchase of the S-400. Ankara announced in December 2017 that a contract had been signed with Russia for the purchase of two S-400 systems, one of which was an option. Turkish officials announced that the down payment for the S-400, which has a total cost of 2.5 billion dollars, had been transferred to the Russian administration; and that this cooperation could develop further to include the joint production of S-500s. The Ministry of National Defense announced that the first parts arrived in Turkey on July 12, 2019. Turkish officials, including President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, have frequently stated that Patriot missiles did not meet their conditions, which is why the S-400s were preferred.

'NOT IN USE'

While the S-400 air defense systems are currently not in use, the issue is expected to be on the agenda during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit on October 19, and the sale of Eurofighters is expected to be discussed.

It is anticipated that the non-use of the S-400 air defense system will be a prerequisite for the purchase of Eurofighters during the talks.

IRON DOME

The Iron Dome announced by Minister Şimşek is currently only used in Israel. The Iron Dome is capable of intercepting many missiles in the air. Since the manufacturer of the Iron Dome is Israel, it is unknown how and in what manner it will be procured.

News Source: 12punto