NATO to deploy air defense system in central Turkiye

Turkiye's Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that NATO will deploy an Italian SAMP-T missile defense system in the central province of Konya to enhance the country's airspace security.



In a statement, the ministry said the move is being carried out under NATO's standing defense plans and is aimed at strengthening the alliance's air defense.



The Italian-operated system will be stationed at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in Konya, the statement said.



The SAMP-T, developed jointly by France and Italy, is a mobile surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept a range of threats, including ballistic missiles.



NATO has already strengthened its presence in southeast Turkiye by deploying an additional Patriot missile battery to Incirlik Air Base in Adana province.