Turkey is considering acquiring a Medium Extended Air Defense System built by MEADS International, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and MBDA, after the country canceled its plans to buy a China-made anti-missile weapon system, Defense News reported Sunday.
Burak Ege Bekdil writes a Turkish government procurement official said he believes the MEADS platform can increase Turkey’s air defense coverage amid security challenges in the Mediterranean region.
Turkish acquisition personnel are in preliminary talks with German manufacturer MBDA regarding the technological features of the missile defense system, Bekdil reports.
MEADS is designed to provide operators a 360-degree radar coverage area and destroy ballistic and cruise missiles, manned and unmanned aerial vehicles and weapons of mass destruction.
The system comprises a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhanced missile, surveillance and fire control sensors,  high-powered launchers and battle management/communication infrastructure.