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Turkey says U.S. Patriot system deployed to boost air defense amid Iran war
NATO deployed PAC-3 Patriot missile systems to reinforce eastern Turkey's air defenses amid repeated Iranian missile threats and interceptions, officials said.
On Tuesday, Turkey announced a US Patriot air defence system was deployed to Malatya in southeastern Turkey near a NATO radar base to help defend its airspace.
Amid recent missile incidents, Ankara warned Tehran against further launches and the two presidents discussed the issue on Monday, while Turkey relied on NATO due to limited domestic air-defence capabilities.
Photographs show a piece of ammunition fell in Diyarbakir, Turkey, after a missile interception, with security personnel and Turkish army searching the area; one Patriot system from Spain is deployed as part of NATO defences.
Reports indicate Washington is examining redeploying Patriot systems from South Korea, framing this as part of NATO air defences to strengthen protection in southeastern Turkey.
Looking ahead, Turkey, an emerging leader in the global defence industry and NATO's second-largest army, relies on NATO assets despite lacking full air defences, while Iran denies explicitly targeting Turkey.
Since the beginning of the new Gulf War, Turkey has shot down two Iranian missiles over its territory. Tehran has denied attacking its neighbour. Ankara is stepping up air defense.