ANKARA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye's Defense Ministry said Wednesday that Germany will deploy a Patriot air defense system to Türkiye in June for a six-month mission under NATO measures aimed at strengthening the country's air defenses amid regional tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Defense Ministry spokesperson Zeki Akturk said the German system will replace one of the additional Patriot systems deployed in Türkiye by NATO. It will operate alongside a Spanish Patriot system already stationed in the country.
Speaking at a news conference at a military base in the southwestern city of Izmir, Akturk said the deployment was being coordinated with NATO allies in line with current security assessments.
In March, Ankara said a U.S. Patriot system had been deployed near a NATO radar base in southeastern Türkiye following missile threats linked to the conflict with Iran. NATO air defenses later intercepted four ballistic missiles launched from Iran during the fighting, according to Turkish officials.
On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.
Türkiye reported several interceptions of missiles launched from Iran in March, although Tehran denied the claims. ■
