The War Machine Goes on

US Prepares for $7.8 Billion Missile Sale to Turkey


The Obama administration recently notified Congress of a possible sale of Patriot PAC-3 antimissile batteries and related components valued at $7.8 billion to Turkey.

The primary contractors for the Turkish sale would be Raytheon Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. The notice of a potential sale is required by law. It does not mean a sale has been concluded.

In the case of a NATO member such as Turkey, Congress has 15 days to block a proposed arms deal by passing a joint resolution of disapproval, though it never has stopped a sale once formally notified.

Turkey's geostrategic importance for the United States depends partly on Incirlik Air Base, located near Adana in southeast Turkey. KC-135 refueling planes operating out of Incirlik have delivered more than 35 million gallons of fuel to US warplanes on missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a Congressional Research Service report last year.

“US Eyes $7.8 Billion Missile Sale to Turkey,” Reuters, September 11, 2009.