The Trajectory of Turkish-Western Relations after S-400s - Mensur Akgün | Al Sharq Forum

It is well known that Turkey has long sought to purchase long-range anti-ballistic missiles and American Patriot missiles had been on its shopping list since the early 1990s. However, Turkey could not reach an agreement with the United States and as far as I am concerned, technology transfer was the main hurdle in reaching a deal. Turkey showed interest in alternative Chinese manufactured systems, but mostly due to stiff opposition from the United States and some other NATO allies, Ankara decided to postpone the procurement. The need to obtain a nationally operational anti-ballistic system re-imposed its urgency on Turkey when Syrian missiles and anti-ballistic missile systems became both a threat against and deterrent for Turkey, particularly in the earlier stages of the civil war in Syria.

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