France Signals Shift on SAMP/T Deal with Turkey

After years of political resistance, France is reportedly open to selling the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defense system to Turkey. According to several sources, the shift could pave the way for more substantive negotiations with Ankara, although discussions remain at an early stage.

The sources said the change in France's position followed talks in June between French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Élysée Palace did not confirm the reports, saying they contained “significant inaccuracies", but did not elaborate further.

France, Italy and Turkey began cooperating on the air defense program between 2017 and 2018. The project was later suspended as relations between Paris and Ankara deteriorated over Syria, Libya and disputes in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey, which is developing its own integrated air and missile defense network, known as Steel Dome, is considering the SAMP/T alongside the US Patriot system. According to a Turkish official, all three countries now have the political will to move the negotiations forward.

The SAMP/T system is manufactured by the Franco-Italian consortium Eurosam. It can track dozens of targets simultaneously and intercept ballistic missiles. Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Emmanuel Macron are expected to discuss the project and other bilateral issues on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.

(Reuters, bak)