Islam Times - NATO: Turkey Patriot Missiles Operational by Feb, Perhaps Sooner

Islam Times - The Patriot missile system for Turkey should be operational by early February, perhaps sooner, NATO said Monday.

A NATO spokesperson said transport of troops and material got underway in early January and would continue over the next few weeks. "We would expect the Patriots to be operational by early February, if not earlier," the spokesperson added.

The Patriot batteries, effective against aircraft and short-range missiles, are being provided by the United States, Germany and the Netherlands. NATO approved their deployment in December, saying the use of ballistic missiles by the Syrian government posed a ‘threat’ to Turkey and insisting that the move was purely ‘defensive’.