Ankara Says Interested in Technology Transfer Along With US Patriot Systems Purchase
Ankara is interested in the transfer of technology along with the possible purchase of US-made Patriot air defense systems, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday
Two weeks ago, the Anadolu news agency reported that a US delegation in Ankara had made an official offer to Turkey to purchase Patriot systems.
"We have received an offer from the US regarding the sale of Patriot systems. But we have criteria and wishes, such as delivery time, cost and lending terms, which are important ... However, in the medium and long terms, the main thing for us is joint production and technology transfer.
This will give us independence from imports. Negotiations with the US side continue," Cavusoglu told a press conference.
In December 2018, the US State Department approved the possible sale of Patriot systems to Turkey in the amount of $3.5 billion.
Last week, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Ankara was ready to consider the US proposal on deliveries of the Patriot air defense systems, but refused to abandon the S-400 missile systems deal with Russia as a potential precondition for the Ankara-Washington agreement.