Does EUROSAM SAMP/T Program Benefit Turkey?

Turkey's Air Defense System Need:

The need for a long-range air defense system of the Turkish Armed Forces is an issue that came to the fore even before the 1990s and has been ignored for years. Even those who have followed the subject since the first issues of the Defense and Aviation magazine had the opportunity to follow the stages of the procurement process, which turned into this snake story. We, who look at the subject from our comfortable seats and from a civil perspective, can put forward countless bright ideas about this process that can never be concluded. But of course, it is our reality that for the soldiers, it is a process that includes many issues, such as "the inside will burn you, and the inside will burn you".

Unfortunately, it was not possible to add a modern and effective air defense system to the inventory of the Turkish Air Force until the S-400 was imported. The S-400 purchased from Russia, on the other hand, is far from meeting the air defense system needs of Turkey. It has also caused us to be exposed to many difficulties in the presence of the USA and NATO. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has shown the value and importance of having such air defense systems to everyone, whether military or civilian.

SAMP/T History:

First of all, it is necessary to take a look at the philosophy, needs and brief history of the system that shaped the missile in question. In the 1980s, the need for long-range air defense missiles deployed on the surface (sea and land) became evident for many NATO countries, especially France and Italy. In those years, the need for such a system of the Naval Forces of both countries began to be seen as a priority. For this reason, air defense system production studies were initiated with a modular approach. The Aster 15 missile defense system, which is planned to have the capabilities to grasp the self-defense of a ship from a long distance, to provide defense against subsonic missiles, to act as a protection umbrella against possible supersonic missiles to a certain extent, and to keep aircraft and helicopters away from the naval platform, is being developed within this framework. started. With the addition of a powerful booster, it is foreseen that this system can reach much longer ranges as the Aster 30. Thus, rather than just defending a naval platform, it is aimed to defend the naval task group, which can operate in a wider area, with the advanced version of the same system. In addition, the issue of preventing short-range ballistic missiles (those with a range of less than 600 kilometers), which was seen as a secondary priority threat in those years, was also included in the operational requirements.

After the First Gulf War (Desert Storm), the concept of defense against ballistic missiles has gained much greater importance. Therefore, the Aster 15 missile system, which started its mass production process in the early 2000s, has been enriched with more modern and new generation components. Thus, it was possible for the European system to outperform the American-made Patriot systems at that time.

The development of thesis and antithesis weapon systems and the development of protective systems in competition with each other has also been seen in this field. Considering the developments in the field of ballistic missiles, EUROSAM has given its priority to the development of systems for ballistic missile defense. The focus is on the development of the Aster 30 Block 1 NT (New Technology) missile defense system against ballistic missiles that are effective up to a range of 1,500 kilometers. In case of agreement between the parties, it may be possible to include Turkey as a project partner in this system, whose product development process is still in progress. Necessary revisions have been made so that the ballistic missile interception capability of this system, which is currently being developed, is 3,000 kilometers. Thus, work has begun on the Aster 30 Block 2 BMD version, which is expected to be effective against hypersonic missiles capable of maneuvering in the atmosphere and new types of glider-headed missiles.

SAMP/T and Turkey's Needs:

In this context, Aster Block-1 and NT missiles are among the systems Turkey needs, although they do not yet meet the entire threat spectrum. If it is revised according to Turkey's needs, I believe that being involved in a production mechanism like Aster Block 1 and NT as a project partner can serve Turkey's interests and expectations in this area.

Italy and France, the two main users of the SAMP/T system, are geographically distant from the Russian threat. For this reason, both countries do not need the immediate use of the modernized Blok 1 missiles, compared to the Eastern European countries. The sale of these missile systems, which they produced jointly for these two countries, and their becoming a preferred system by other countries may be a priority and important issue.

EUROSAM SAMP/T Programs:

In this context, we come across news that the supply negotiations have started again between the parties regarding the EUROSAM production Aster 15/30 SAMP/T system, which is a joint production of France and Italy and can be considered as the S-400 equivalent. Undoubtedly, it will be a positive development for Turkey to bring the well-known SAMP/T system to NATO standards, which has been deployed in our country for a while and has recently been subjected to an additional modernization program. However, it is obvious that there is a need for an evaluation regarding whether this system can constitute an ideal solution for Turkey's air defense operations needs. In addition, the "how to maximize the national interests" expected with the purchase of this system is a separate issue on its own.

In this context, if Turkey is involved in EUROSAM studies, for example, with ROKETSAN, it may also include existing SAMP/T missile systems in its inventory. Thus, it may be possible to meet the missile defense needs of the Turkish Air Force in the short and long term with SAMP/T. A framework agreement to be signed between France, Italy and Turkey can define this process and roadmap, and in this context, it may be possible to gain some benefits, including access to the source codes of the SAMP/T system gradually, and technology acquisition in this area. In this context, it is important that Turkish defense companies are involved in the development processes of Blok 1 NT. When we take into account the progress of the project and EUROSAM's technological know-how for the defense of naval platforms, Turkey may turn to a mode of action that will cooperate with EUROSAM for its naval platforms. The integration of these missiles into Air Defense Frigates or TF2000-like projects can be evaluated in terms of benefits and drawbacks. It may also be considered to harmonize the SAMP/T system with national systems like ÇAFRAD and new generation National Electronic Warfare systems. In line with progress, more emphasis may be placed on the supply of land-based versions of this system later on.

In addition to the Hisar/Siper missile family, Turkey has reached a point where it can produce the Göktuğ series air-to-air missile family. When the gains in this area are blended with SAMP/T, it is possible to make bigger national leaps. In addition to the new initiatives that Turkey can offer to EUROSAM, it may be possible to gain new benefits from this company with the cooperation of France and Italy.

Availability of SAMP/T and New Operations Requirements:

SAMP/T-like systems, by their nature, require a heavy and complex production technology. Search radars, target tracking and engagement radars, electronic warfare capabilities, power systems, launch units, logistics support elements, etc. included in the organic structure of the system. systems exist. In order to increase the resistance of this integrated system against air attacks as a whole, it is preferred to be placed in the field with a 'distributed architecture'. As it is known, in the Russia-Ukraine War, the importance of having more asymmetrical, more dispersed and more horizontally spread system elements has clearly emerged.

It is considered sufficient to have 2-3 missiles within the BUK-like systems in distributed architecture. In addition, it has its own power unit, is equipped with appropriate air defense and target tracking radars, has a flexible communication infrastructure (wireless military networks, civil communication lines, GSM networks, starlink, etc. commercial networks), has a missile battery, when necessary. It is desired to work integrated with the satellite-based structure (Satellite Expansion Unit), which can be deployed up to 200 kilometers away. In the case of Turkey, it is considered necessary to take the Russian-made BUK M3 system as a basis in the new design studies of the SAMP/T system.

SAMP/T and Other Considerations:

Aster 30 Block 2 BMD, which is being developed by EUROSAM, is designed as a system that can be used effectively against longer range ballistic missiles and new generation threats. However, the capabilities of the systems in the hands of other countries (Israeli Arrow 3, American THAAD, SM-3 etc.) (intercept capability in upper atmosphere conditions or in low orbit of the earth) should also be taken into account. It is known that the Aster system, which has been improved to some extent with the Pif-Paf system, is not yet capable of comprehending the thin atmosphere or near space. EUROSAM has started a new study called Aster 45 for this need.

In missile defense systems, it is important to take precautions against deception. For example, the MALD-J cruise missiles in the US inventory offer a capability that can overwhelm and/or mislead enemy radars and missile defense systems by giving an image that simulates a single aircraft or a pack arm. Considering similar developments in this field, improvements should be made in new generation missile defense systems.

Air Defense System Supply Needs of European Countries:

Today, it is evaluated that many European countries, especially Germany, will invest in new generation air defense systems, and even consider this as a priority. As I stated in my previous articles, Turkey's layered missile defense family also offers new solutions for European countries. The fact that the Turkish air defense missile family, which is capable of air defense against multiple threats of a maneuvering army, is produced in accordance with NATO standards, can play a role in increasing the export potential in Turkey's defense industry in this area.

In order to accelerate Turkey's national work in this area, it may be possible for Turkey to benefit from Aster-based SAMP/T systems to eliminate the deficiency in the existing high altitude layer. EUROSAM is valuable in that it is a European project, and it is obvious that in defense of Europe, which is a part of the Atlantic Basin, Europe's own systems can be preferred rather than Israeli systems. At this point, considering Turkey's qualification as a European country and NATO membership, it may be possible to integrate/export Turkish missile defense systems to Europe through a cooperation model to be developed with EUROSAM. This kind of approach can be preferred as it offers additional gains to both parties.

Conclusion:

Turkey should stay away from following the S-400 pattern and falling into the same trap, in talks with France and Italy, specifically for EUROSAM, from state to state. Only off-the-shelf purchasing may be attractive for Turkey in terms of short-term needs. However, as we tried to emphasize in this article, approaches such as win-win-based co-production, technology transfer, sharing of source codes, taking co-production projects to be determined in line with future needs on the agenda, gaining a potential market opportunity for Turkish missile defense systems in Europe, rather than ready-made purchases, are used in Turkish. I think it would be beneficial for the Presidency of Defense Industries to consider. In this framework, in line with Turkey's needs and interests, the Italian and French sides, taking into account the current projects of SAMP/T and its future derivatives, on a road map that will add value to the development of the Turkish missile defense system, the current conditions are in Turkey's favour. is considered to be. Approval for the sale of the F-16, the announcement by the United Kingdom that it has lifted the sanctions in the field of defense against Turkey, other developments in our region are already about to create a positive atmosphere in favor of Turkey. Without disturbing the weather again, the SAMP/T process of the relevant units of the Turkish defense industry presidency; With a comprehensive and rapid study, it is evaluated that Turkey should take advantage of the current positive atmosphere and not allow delays in order to complete it according to its interests and expectations.