German government decides to extend Patriot deployment in Turkey

BERLIN – Anadolu Agency

German Patriot batteries ave been stationed in Kahramanmaraş while Dutch Patriots (in the picture) were deployed to Adana. DAILY NEWS photo

The German government decided on Jan. 7 to extend deployment of the Patriot missiles in Turkey as part of a NATO mission to protect the country against possible threats from neighboring Syria.

The decision foresees that the mission will continue until Jan. 31, 2015, with the possibility of a further extension. The mission will involve up to 400 troops from the German military.

Following ythe decision, the German government will seek authorization this month from the Federal Parliament, the Bundestag. 

Germany’s previous coalition government had decided in 2012 to station two Patriot batteries in Turkey, following a request by Ankara and a decision by NATO’s North Atlantic Council. 

The Patriot batteries provided by Germany have been stationed in Kahramanmaraş since January last year, operating under the command and control of NATO. The cost of the deployment, which is estimated to be around 25 million euros, is covered by Germany.