Turkey to purchase Sidewinder missiles

Turkey has ordered 117 air-to-air Sidewinder missiles from the U.S., CNN Turk reported on Wednesday.

It is reported that the Turkish Ministry of Defense's Undersecretary for the defense industry has signed an initial agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense.

The acquisition of 117 Sidewinder missiles will cost Turkey $140 million. According to the channel, the question of Turkey's sale of Sidewinder missiles is being discussed by the U.S. Congress. If Congress confirms the agreement, Turkey will receive the first batch of missiles in the coming months.

According to CNN Turk, the issue of selling Sidewinder missiles to
Turkey is under consideration by Congress and in case of a positive response, Turkey will receive the first batch of missiles in the very near future.

The channel reported that the purchase can be linked to preparedness measures against possible aggression from Syria.

The AIM-9 Sidewinder is an American air-to-air guided missile with an infrared homing head. The missile entered U.S. Navy service in 1956, becoming the world's first effective guided air-to-air missile. After many upgrades, it still remains in active service with many air forces.

The Sidewinder missile is named such due to the use of the principle of radiant heat during target search, just like the American horned rattlesnake sidewinder does.

As reported earlier, Turkey is to receive 6 batteries of Patriot missiles from NATO. They are to be provided by Germany, the Netherlands and the U.S.

In the second half of November, Turkey requested Patriot missiles from NATO to protect against a possible air attack by Syria.

The Syrian army periodically bombs border areas with Turkey. In October, as a result of another attack conducted by Syrian Air Forces, 6 Turkish citizens were killed.

Source: Azerbaijan, Baku, A. Tagiyeva / Trend.az News - 26 December 2012

Photo: The Turkish Air Force AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile (Photo by defenseindustrydaily.com)


(26.12.2012)