Turkey requested US ombudsman to oversee defense ties

ANKARA

Turkey has requested the United States to appoint a defense industry ombudsman who will maintain closer communication between the countries and oversee joint projects in defense-related issues, according to reports.

Authorities from the Defense Industry Undersecretary (SSM) of Turkey have reportedly conveyed their request for an American official, who will be charged with “helping to overcome problems like delays in joint military studies, as well as speeding up export permission procedures and permission,” during a meeting with their U.S. counterparts, DefenseNews reported.

The ombudsman could facilitate communications and deal with issues between the Department of Defense and the Turkish defense industry to “better help us understand the reasons for delays or denials of export licenses,” İsmail Demir, undersecretary for defense industries, was quoted as saying by the outlet.