Turkey has offered Russia to participate in the tender for the purchase of anti-aircraft missile systems long range. About it reported mass media with reference to its sources.
It is noted that the invitation to the Russian manufacturer opens third phase of the Turkish competition, with Ankara do not mind that in the case of selection of the production system of the Russian Federation it will have to address issues of integration in a unified network of air defense of NATO and North Atlantic Alliance would not agree.
Recall that in 2009, Turkey announced a tender T-LORAMIDS (Turkish Long Range Air And Missile Defence System) for the purchase of components for the system ABOUT 4 billion dollars, which in 2013 won the Chinese HQ-9 (according to some, this AAMS — the Chinese equivalent of the Soviet/Russian family s-300P). In addition to the Chinese company CPMIEC, the applications were submitted to American consortium Raytheon & Lockheed Martin, the Franco-Italian company Eurosam and Russian Rosoboronexport.
The Chinese company CPMIEC offered a price of 3.4 billion dollars and, unlike the competitors in the tender, admitted the production of missile systems in Turkey and the transfer of its technology to the Turkish side, however, the parties came to final agreement on the extent of Turkey’s participation in the project. In addition, the announcement of the victory of China have caused pressure on Turkey by its NATO allies. In November last year, Ankara has officially canceled the tender in connection with the decision to develop a national project of a missile defense system.
10 Oct 2016 Turkish TV channel NTV, citing a source in diplomatic circles said that Turkey could take in to consideration the proposal of the Russian Federation on development of a missile defense system.
In the first stage of the tender won by the Chinese with their systems, HQ-9, but then they were expelled from the competition. In the second phase, the European system SAMP-T, it seems, lost to the Patriot complex, but then the tender was frozen, explains researcher of the Center for analysis of strategies and technologies, chief editor of the magazine “arms Export” Andrey Frolov.
— And now, perhaps, in the competition will return all four candidates. Actually, I do not exclude that we in Syria battery of s-300V4 (“Antey-2500”) was transferred specifically so that the Turks could “see” on duty. The fact that in the Turkish tender really can only participate this system, as other modifications out of production, but Iran s-300PMU-2 was supplied from the unrealized reserve. I think s-400 the Turks makes no sense to even offer, because AAMS contracted for a long time for the Ministry of defense of the Russian Federation, China and probably India (a contract to supply anti-aircraft missile systems s-400, as reported on 13 October, should be signed before the end of 2016). So, if they wanted to, the Turks the s-400 will not get — not before 2020.
“SP”: — anti-aircraft missile system s-300V4, the defense frontline managers.
— S-300V4 has a good potential of non-strategic missile defense that can deal effectively both with the aircraft tactical and strategic aircraft and warheads of missiles operational-tactical and tactical missile systems, cruise missiles. And most importantly — the inner order of s is not particularly large, the export seems to have a contract on “shipment” S-300V4 in Egypt. In General, if you order AAMS Turkey we can solve the problem of simultaneous loading of our production facilities.
“SP”: — There are opinions that the Russian nomenclature of arms, which we can offer for a country-member of NATO, is very limited, they say, there is an unofficial ban on the supply of aircraft, ships, air defense systems of NATO Turkey.
— The problem is not that Turkey is a NATO country. No one knows who anyone that needs to buy in the sphere of the Navy based on their level. Moreover, it is we the Turks civilian freighters bought (for the “Syrian Express” — “SP”), and not Vice versa. Russian aircraft they are also not needed, because they have the F-35 is contracted. Another thing that we may do not ready to put something Turkey, for example, missiles.
“SP”: — it is Possible that the renewed Turkish interest in the Russian system — a purely political move to piss off the Americans?
— It is possible. The Turks may have what is called face-down to use. It is not necessary to build illusions that are now in our relationship everything is fine.
“SP”: — In October 2015, the media reported that NATO Patriot was withdrawn from the territory of Turkey. It is known that NATO countries on a rotational basis place on Turkish territory air defense systems in early 2013 were deployed at two installations from Germany, USA and the Netherlands.
— I do not think that NATO Patriot were withdrawn from Turkey completely though, because they don’t for the love of Turkey are there, and cover the strategic base in Incirlik. They can’t have it “naked” leave — one fighter cover.
“SP”: — In case of winning the tender is not an American Patriot, and other systems, they are difficult and do I need to integrate with the Turkish media and the NATO air defense system — create command for the subordination of forces and means, to work out the communications protocols, etc.
— Turkish ground air defense is not so outstanding (in the old American systems of long-range Nike-Hercules and HAWK SAMS, the British Rapier SAM, also MANPADS, including crawler chassis M113 — SAM “Atylgan” — “SP”). With NATO systems, apparently, also is a kind of integration, because one of the arguments against the Turks purchase of Chinese HQ-9 was called then, so China may obtain information about the characteristics of the NATO air defense. In the case of s-300V4, the Turks can say that it is a mobile standalone system that “itself on all drives”, etc.
“SP”: — in view of the difficult Russian-Turkish relations, shifting the “strong friendship”, then the revelations at a high level, it makes sense to put the air defenses of the country, which Russia is, to put it mildly, can not consider as an ally?
— As you know, coordination of Russian and Turkish troops in Syria is restored. As for the possible exacerbation of relations, then all the war with Turkey is, in fact, a war with NATO. In this case, several divisions, sold to Turkey will be within the limits of error. No one knows what will happen in 10 years, but the pay of Ankara will come, that is, here and now, and perhaps because of them, the Russian defense industry will be able to make a better system. Anyway — if put we, not the Europeans or the Chinese, in the case of the conflict at least will know the exact characteristics of the system and how it can be counteracted.
— At the time — in 1996, Cyprus was bought two divisions of s-300PMU1, however, the adoption of the complexes into service was blocked by the US and Turkey, in 2006-2007 rights system has moved from Cyprus to Greece — reminds the teacher of the Military University of the Ministry of defense, air force Colonel retired Vladimir Karyakin. In December 2013, Greece “revived” Russian AAMS and held of fire from the landfill Akrotiri. This is all I’m saying is that Greece is also a member of NATO, but, nevertheless, in 2015 it was officially reported that between Russia and Greece are negotiating on maintenance of the s-300 systems, “tor M-1”, “cornet” and others, as well as the procurement of new missiles for the “trekstock”. So, theoretically, the supply of Russian air defense systems to Turkey is possible. We supplied them with ATGM “Kornet” and 19 helicopters Mi-17−1 In (15 — in troop-transport variant, two transport, two — in the form of a flying hospital).
In addition, the example of Greece we can see that the heterogeneous means of defense is pretty well integrated into the national defense system, are an integral part of NATO air defenses. Talking about SAM Patriot PAC-2, Russian s-300PMU1, and the short-range “OSA-AKM and tor-M1”.
With regard to relations with Turkey, then, in my opinion, the thesis that “s is not necessary to supply Ankara with, because we potentially can start a war”, not true. The probability of collision between major countries today is quite small, and wars are fought mostly on the information and economic field.
Chief editor of the journal “national strategy Issues” Azhdar Kurtov RISS does not exclude that Turkey is renewing the tender, is trying to bring down the price on ZRS.
— Air defenses — is not howitzers and tanks, and precision and complex defensive weapons. And if the efficiency and quality of the system has any doubt, in the event of hostilities, the losses will be greater, because AAMS cover the most important objects, and the moving — even troops on the March, in defense or in attack. Therefore, the desire to save money on AAMS can have dire consequences.
Turkey is a NATO member, and probably the United States will exert pressure to the tender was won by their air defenses. Not only for commercial benefit, but also because of the military build — as you know, America is trying to create a layered air defense system-PRO worldwide, and Turkey is the southern flank of NATO, a key link in this system.
But today, opportunities for exerting such pressure States have significantly reduced — because of the attempted coup, which the Americans at least knew, because of disagreements with Turkey in Syria and Iraq, etc. However, this does not mean that the US cannot achieve its goal. In the presence of videoconferencing in Syria, they are profitable buying and deploying Patriot air defense system, because under certain circumstances they can be used to intercept Russian missiles.
Our downed su-24 was apparently not enough, now seriously discussed a question on sell Turkey air defense systems, then they are shot down, — said the Deputy Director of the Institute of political and military analysis Alexander Khramchikhin. In my opinion, it’s just not right, especially through Turkey smuggled weapons, which were resoled and our helicopters in Syria. So I really hope that this tender will not take place.
