Key facts
- France is reportedly open to selling the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defence system to Turkey.
- This marks a shift from previous political opposition that had blocked progress.
- The potential sale was discussed between French President Macron and Italian Prime Minister Meloni.
- Turkey has been seeking advanced air defence systems to bolster its national security.
- France's openness does not signify final approval, and significant hurdles remain.
France has reportedly softened its stance on a potential sale of the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defence system to Turkey, a move that could pave the way for more substantive negotiations after years of political opposition. Five sources familiar with the matter indicated this shift, which reportedly followed discussions between French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on June 25.
Previously, France had significant political reservations that had stalled cooperation on the air defence system, which began between Turkey, France, and Italy in 2017-2018. Tensions between Paris and Ankara over issues in Syria, Libya, and the Eastern Mediterranean had led to the project's halt. The SAMP/T, also known as Mamba, is produced by the Eurosam consortium and is capable of intercepting multiple threats, including ballistic missiles.
Turkey, which possesses NATO's second-largest army, has been seeking to enhance its air defence capabilities and has considered options including the U.S. Patriot system and the SAMP/T, with an interest in technology transfer and joint production. A Turkish official noted that political will now appears to be present on all three sides for the process to advance, despite previous setbacks due to Eastern Mediterranean tensions and EU sanctions.
However, sources cautioned that France's new openness does not equate to final approval for a sale. France would need to address concerns from Greece and Cyprus, with whom it has signed strategic defence accords. Analysts suggest that even if a sale is agreed upon, it will be a lengthy process.