Turkey to receive Patriots from Germany and Netherlands, not US

ISTANBUL

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Turkey seems likely to receive two Patriot missiles from Germany and one from the Netherlands rather than one from the United States because the latter’s weapons are already being used, Pentagon officials have said, daily Hürriyet reported today.

“The U.S. has one Patriot missile battalion in Europe. This battalion is part of EUCOM and is at Europe Army Forces’ disposal. There are a total of five patriot missiles, including four main ones and one extra. These missiles are rotated constantly around strategic points in Europe and in Israel,” Riki Ellison, a U.S. advocate for missile defense, told Hürriyet.

“That’s why these missiles have engagement [commitments]. However, the Netherlands’ and Germany’s patriots don’t have any task. They are for education. While the U.S. and Israel’s risks are there, I do not think a Patriot missile can be given to Turkey.”

The final statement will come from NATO as the studies are continuing, a spokesman from the Pentagon also said.