DefenceTalkTurkey sent artillery units to the border with Syria Saturday, where its army regularly clashes with Kurdish militia, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. A military convoy with at least five howitzers arrived overnight at the southern city of Kilis the scene of recent cross-border fire between the Turkish army and the Kurdish Peoples’ Protection […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-sends-more-artillery-to-syrian-border-70253/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon on Monday criticized Turkey’s plans to purchase a Russian air-defense system instead of investing in NATO technology. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in talks to get Russia to supply Ankara with its latest S-400 surface-to-air missile system. Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said the Pentagon had concerns over its NATO ally’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-alarm-over-turkey-plan-to-buy-russian-missiles-70216/

DefenceTalkThe unprecedented US downing of a Syrian regime warplane highlights the rapidly shifting dynamic in the six-year conflict where President Donald Trump has given American commanders a freer rein in the battlefield. The United States insisted Monday it wants no broader role in Syria’s civil war, and seeks only to destroy the Islamic State group, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/americas-widening-role-in-syrian-war-70173/

DefenceTalkTurkey’s decision to send up to 3,000 troops to Qatar further cements their growing ties, but it virtually eliminates a possible role for Ankara to mediate between Qatar and the Gulf states that have decided to isolate it for alleged support of terrorism. Both countries have found themselves increasingly isolated Turkey for the increasing authoritarian […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-agrees-to-send-up-to-3000-troops-to-qatar-70153/

DefenceTalkRussia is ready to supply cutting-edge S-400 surface-to-air missile systems to Turkey, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with the heads of world news agencies on Thursday. As for the S-400 production in Turkey, this is the issue of the Turkish industry’s readiness, the Russian leader said. “We discussed the possibility of selling […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-ready-to-supply-advanced-s-400-air-defense-missile-systems-to-turkey-70122/

DefenceTalkGermany has no choice but to pull its troops out of the key Turkish airbase of Incirlik, after failing to reach agreement with Ankara on visits by politicians, Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said Monday. The Incirlik base in southern Turkey, used for raids against the Islamic State group in Syria, has been at the centre […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-will-have-to-pull-its-troops-from-key-base-in-turkey-70114/

DefenceTalkRussian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a decree relaxing some restrictions on Turkey over business and visa-free entry imposed after Ankara shot down a Russian warplane on the Syrian border. A decree posted on the Kremlin website lifted a ban imposed from January 1, 2016, on Turkish construction and tour firms doing business in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-relaxes-economic-sanctions-visa-rules-on-turkey-70107/

DefenceTalkThe United States on Tuesday began providing small arms to Kurdish fighters battling the Islamic State group in northern Syria, the Pentagon said, fulfilling a pledge that has infuriated Turkey. The weapons transfers have begun ahead of an upcoming offensive to recapture Raqa, the last major bastion for IS in Syria. “We have begun to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-begins-sending-arms-to-kurdish-fighters-in-syria-70103/

DefenceTalkThe Berlin government is mulling moving its troops out of Turkey’s Incirlik air base after a second snub by Ankara. A German political delegation was denied approval to visit Bundeswehr soldiers at the military facility. Wolfgang Hellmich, the chairman of the Bundestag Defense Committee told the German news agency dpa “we’re not going to be […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-likely-to-pull-troops-out-of-turkey-69977/

DefenceTalkTurkey and Russia have reached principal agreements on the issue of the S-400 air defense systems (ADS) acquisition; the sides are conducting negotiations over the price and joint production, Turkey`s Foreign Minister Mevl·t ·avu·o·lu told journalists. “We are continuing negotiations over the issues related to S-400 including joint production and price. We have reached principal […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-and-russia-reached-principal-agreements-on-s-400-acquisition-69897/