General Philip M. Breedlove thanked Spain for its recent decision
to provide PATRIOT missile batteries and 130 soldiers to augment NATO’s
defensive deployment in southern Turkey. The Alliance deployed six
batteries in 2013 to augment Turkey's air defence capabilities to defend
the population from ballistic missile threats emanating from the Syrian
conflict.
Spanish Defense Minister Pedro Morenes announced the commitment
on 17 September and said that Spain would collaborate by providing a
similar number of assets as other Allies that are involved.
"I strongly welcome the Spanish commitment of PATRIOT missiles
and troops to the NATO deployment in southern Turkey,” said General
Breedlove. "The Alliance's southern border is located in a difficult
neighbourhood and considerable instability remains in Syria and across
the region. Spain’s clear demonstration of Alliance solidarity is
critically important to the people of Turkey and for all members of the
Alliance,” he added.
In January 2015, Spanish missiles and soldiers are expected to
replace the two Dutch batteries deployed in Adana, Turkey. The
Netherlands commitment began in early 2013.
"The Netherlands’ contribution to NATO’s PATRIOT deployment has
been remarkable and the performance of Dutch soldiers has been
outstanding,” said General Breedlove. The Netherlands deployed their
PATRIOT batteries with remarkable speed at a very critical time and I am
very grateful for their willingness to contribute to the collective
security of the Alliance,” he said.
In response to Turkey’s request, NATO Foreign Ministers decided
on 4 December 2012 that NATO would "augment Turkey’s air defence
capabilities in order to defend the population and territory of Turkey
and contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis along the Alliance’s
border.”
Six Patriot missile batteries are currently operating under NATO
command and control in southern Turkey. The Alliance rapidly deployed
these assets in order to augment Turkey's air defence capabilities to
defend the population and territory of Turkey.
Two Dutch batteries are operating in Adana, two German
batteries are in Kahramanmaras and two batteries from the United States
are located in Gaziantep. Together, these Patriot batteries are
actively defending 3.5 million people in Turkey against missile attacks.
This deployment is defensive only and represents a concrete demonstration of Alliance solidarity and resolve.
