LBCI

G20-Turkey cancels $3.4 bln missile defense system tender - official

Middle East

16-11-2015 | 04:36

Share

Share

G20-Turkey cancels $3.4 bln missile defense system tender - official

2^min

Turkey has cancelled a $3.4 billion long-range missile defense system tender which was provisionally awarded to China, a move that had stirred U.S. and Western concern, an official at the Turkish prime minister's office told Reuters on Sunday.

NATO member Turkey in 2013 had chosen China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp as the preferred candidate for the deal, sparking Western worries over inherent security risks from Chinese technology.

"It has been decided that this tender will be cancelled," an official at Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's office said. "This decision has been signed off by the Prime Minister this week."

An official from Turkey's Defense Industry Undersecretariat, which has run the technical negotiations with China, said in July that a major stumbling block has been China's reluctance to make a technology transfer which could give Turkey the knowledge to operate the system and eventually replicate it.

The prime ministry official said Ankara was now planning to go solo. "Turkey will now launch its own project to build such a defense system," he said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, asked about the tender being cancelled, said on Monday he did "not have any knowledge on the relevant matter". He did not elaborate.

Turkey had given mixed messages on whether it was planning to integrate the system with NATO infrastructure or not and U.S. and European allies has wanted Turkey to use a system that is compatible with NATO's air defense.

During the tender, U.S. firm Raytheon put in an offer with its Patriot missile defense system. Franco-Italian group Eurosam, owned by the multinational European missile maker MBDA and France's Thales, came second in the tender.

REUTERS

G20

Turkey

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Lebanon president, US and Qatari officials focus on de-escalation and ceasefire mechanisms

2026-06-22

Lebanon president, US and Qatari officials focus on de-escalation and ceasefire mechanisms

Beyond Lebanon: Israel and Turkey on a collision course

News Bulletin Reports

2026-06-11

Beyond Lebanon: Israel and Turkey on a collision course

Lebanon announces dates for 2026 vocational education exams for private candidates

08:40

Lebanon announces dates for 2026 vocational education exams for private candidates

President Aoun discusses security, post-framework agreement tasks with Army chief

2026-06-30

President Aoun discusses security, post-framework agreement tasks with Army chief

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

1

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

2

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

3

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

4

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

5

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

6

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

Lebanon announces dates for 2026 vocational education exams for private candidates

7

Lebanon announces dates for 2026 vocational education exams for private candidates

Israel sends troops to settler siege as US ambassador slams 'act of terror'

8

Israel sends troops to settler siege as US ambassador slams 'act of terror'

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More