Turkey is in the final stages of a developing a new missile defense system to prevent rocket attacks on its cities by the Islamic State, Turkey’s defense minister says.
That was reported by www.voanews.com.
The system has been in the development process for the last 18 months and will be in the test phase this week before being deployed to stop IS Katyusha rockets, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said.
“It has not been easy for us to intervene IS’s short-range Katyushas,” said Isik in an interview with CNN Turk, adding the system will “neutralize Katyushas.”
Over the past year, rocket fire has pummeled Turkish border towns from IS positions inside northern Syria. The southern town of Kilis has endured sustained attacks, killing at least 21 people, destroying entire neighborhoods and prompting residents to flee their homes.
The new Turkish defense missile system will resemble Israel’s “Iron Dome,” which has proved to be successful against rockets fired by Hamas in the Gaza Strip against Israeli towns. The Turkish system, designed and built by Turks, is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets fired from distances of 4 to 70 kilometers.
“If everything goes as desired, the new system would certainly be effective against IS,” said Metehan Demir, a freelance journalist and a defense expert. “The problem of Kathyusha rockets coming from IS will be solved.”
Demir also told VOA that it could be months before the new missile system – which Turkey has named “Korkut” – has been tested and is ready for use.
