President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkey aimed to have its own "Steel Dome" multi-layered air defence system soon, adding that Ankara would also increase its long-range missile capabilities.
NATO member Turkey has in recent years significantly reduced its dependence on external suppliers of defence equipment.
"It is understood much better now how vitally important our multi-layered air defence systems are for our security. If they (Israel) have an 'Iron Dome', we will have a 'Steel Dome'. We won't look at them and say 'why don't we have this'," Erdogan said.
"We will increase our long-range missile capabilities during this period too," Turkey would "not rest" until it achieved full independence in the defence industry.
Israel's Iron Dome air defence system was built to intercept rockets fired into its territory. It became operational in 2011, and uses truck-towed units of radar-guided missiles to blow up short-range threats like rockets, mortars and drones in mi
NATO member Turkey has in recent years significantly reduced its dependence on external suppliers of defence equipment.
"It is understood much better now how vitally important our multi-layered air defence systems are for our security. If they (Israel) have an 'Iron Dome', we will have a 'Steel Dome'. We won't look at them and say 'why don't we have this'," Erdogan said.
"We will increase our long-range missile capabilities during this period too," Turkey would "not rest" until it achieved full independence in the defence industry.
Israel's Iron Dome air defence system was built to intercept rockets fired into its territory. It became operational in 2011, and uses truck-towed units of radar-guided missiles to blow up short-range threats like rockets, mortars and drones in mi
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