Turkey in Talks with Eurosam for Air Defense Deal

Turkey has announced that Ankara opened talks with French-Italian Eurosam Eurosam, maker of the Aster 30, to build a long-range air- and anti-missile system, distancing itself from a Chinese option, after negotiations on a controversial deal with a US-blacklisted Chinese company.
Technical negotiations with China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corp. (CPMIEC) have been dragged into several problematic areas.
In September 2013, Turkey announced CPMIEC would construct the country’s first long-range air and anti-missile defense system.
The Chinese contender defeated a US Patriot air defense system; Russia’s Rosoboronexport S-300; and Italian-French consortium Eurosam, maker of the Aster 30.
Turkish officials said if contract negotiations with CPMIEC fail, talks would be opened with the second-place finisher, Eurosam. Next in line would be the US bidder. The Russian option has been eliminated.
The Turkish government has come under increased pressure from its NATO allies to rethink the decision to work with CPMIEC in the missile defense program.
The Turkish program consists of radar, launcher and interceptor missiles. It has been designed to counter enemy aircraft and missiles.
NATO and US officials have said any Chinese-built system could not be integrated with Turkey’s joint air defense assets with NATO and the United States.
indialive

Turkey Extends Deadline for Disputed Air Defense Bidding

US and European bidders racing to snatch a controversial Turkish contract from their Chinese rival now have until June 30 to submit their renewed proposals, following two three-month extensions instituted by Turkey.
After the previous extension, the bidders had until the end of April to submit bids for Turkey’s first long-range air- and anti-missile defense system, for which it initially selected a Chinese manufacturer.
The bidders comprise a partnership of Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, makers of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 system, and the European group Eurosam, maker of the Aster 30 missile.
In September, Turkey said it selected China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corp. (CPMIEC) to build the system.
Turkey has been in contract negotiations with CPMIEC, but under increasing pressure from its NATO allies, it also has urged rival US and European bidders to improve their offers.
Turkey said in September that Eurosam’s offer ranked second while the US solution came third. The fourth bidder, the Russian maker of the S-300/400, was eliminated from the contest.
defensenews

US 'Seriously Concerned' About Turkey's Chinese Missile Choice

The United States is “seriously concerned” about NATO ally Turkey’s controversial decision to select a Chinese company for its long-range air and missile defense system.
Ankara’s announcement last month that it was launching discussions with the China Precision Machinery Export-Import Corporation (CPMIEC) for the deal, according to media reports — irritated Turkey’s allies in NATO, particularly the United States.
CPMIEC, which makes the HQ-9 missile system, beat out competition from a US partnership of Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, Russia’s Rosoboronexport, and Italian-French consortium Eurosam.
The Chinese company has been hit by a series of US sanctions over the past decade, accused of selling arms and missile technology to Iran and Pakistan.
NATO said missile systems within the transatlantic military alliance must be compatible with each other.
Turkey launched the tender for 12 missile batteries in 2009. It had previously defended the choice of CPMIEC saying it had offered the best price.
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