Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 8
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Ankara is ready to discuss new proposals for the creation of long-range missiles in the country, Turkish Defence Minister, Ismet Yilmaz said, Turkish TV channel TRT Haber reported on November 8.
According to him, Ankara is now in search of economically more beneficial offers.
In October 2013, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that Turkey's interests will come first in creating long-range missiles.
According to Gul, the country takes into account the opinions of its allies, but there is nothing illegal in the country's activities.
It was earlier reported that an agreement on creating long-range missiles would be signed with China in late 2013.
It was announced at a meeting of the Turkish Defence Industry Executive Committee in September 2013 that the Chinese CPMIEC company won the tender for the creation of long range missiles in Turkey. It was also reported that these missiles will be created by the Chinese company in cooperation with Turkish producers.
A meeting of the executive committee of the Turkish defence industry was chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with the participation of the head of the Turkish General Staff Necdet Ozel, Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz and Deputy Minister of the Defence Industry Murad Bayar.
Moreover, it was reported that the U.S. authorities informed Turkey of their concerns about the country's intentions to cooperate with China in the creation of missile defence systems.
It was also reported that the U.S. Ambassador in Ankara, Francis Ricciardone stated that the agreement on the creation of the long-range missiles with China could influence Turkish-U.S. trade relations.
The Turkish defence industry has recently focused on developing and manufacturing its own products. Turkey managed to achieve a self-sufficiency level of 54 per cent in the defence industry.