Bundeswehr sends air defence troops to Turkey
The Bundeswehr is sending 150 soldiers to NATO’s southeastern flank. The goal is to strengthen air defence in Turkey together with partners.
Bad Sülze (dpa) – Germany’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr, will be sending around 150 soldiers to Turkey at the end of June. 24 Surface-to-Air Missile Group from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will be deployed there alongside a Patriot battery, taking over the duties of a US unit previously stationed there.
According to Germany’s Federal Defence Ministry, the operation on NATO’s southeast flank will continue until September. The German forces will work closely with Turkish and US partners at the local level.
NATO had expanded its air defence capabilities in Turkey recently in response to the tense security situation in the Middle East. Additional troops and defence systems were relocated to the region to strengthen protection of alliance territory.
Before departing for Turkey, the soldiers were given a rousing send-off in Bad Sülze. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius described the mission as contributing to a stronger German role within the alliance, saying that Germany was now deploying forces not only on the eastern flank and in the High North, but also in the southeast of NATO territory.
