All NATO Patriot batteries in Turkey operational

  • 16 Feb. 2013 -
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  • Last updated: 16 Feb. 2013 14:37

The final of six Patriot missile batteries deployed to Turkey was declared operational under NATO command and control on Friday, 15 February 2013.

US Patriot battery under NATO Command overlooking the city of Gaziantep (Turkey)

The battery, provided by the United States, is located outside  the city of Gaziantep.

Germany, the Netherlands and the United States provide two batteries each to augment Turkey’s air defences. The systems are deployed in Kahramanmaras, Adana, and Gaziantep. The first battery came online on 26 January.

In response to Turkey’s request, NATO Foreign Ministers decided on 4 December 2012 that NATO would “augment Turkey’s air defence capabilities in order to defend the population and territory of Turkey and contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis along the Alliance’s border.”