U.S. Defense Bill Could Undercut Turkey’s Missile Defense Deal with China

The recently passed U.S. defense authorization bill aims to prevent Turkey from following through with plans to integrate a Chinese-built missile defense system into a NATO architecture that includes U.S. interceptors.

In September, Turkish government leaders chose a Chinese company, China Precision Machinery Export-Import Corp., for a multibillion-dollar contract to provide a long-range missile and air defense systems.

The selection of the Chinese system, dubbed HQ-9, created consternation within the U.S. industry and government. The State Department in February 2013 sanctioned the Chinese company over proliferation concerns.

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