Turkey tests mid-range air defense missile

Turkey launched a new medium-altitude air defense missile earlier this month, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Thursday.

Turkish Defense Ministry announced in a statement that the Hisar-O, produced in Turkey under a project to meet the Land Forces Command's air defense needs, was launched on December 3 in Aksaray, central Turkey, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Turkey has to achieve and develop critical technologies in both air and missile defense systems," said Defense Minister Fikri Isik.

Turkey's long-range air and missile defense systems could act as a deterrent force in the region, he added.

Hisar's radar, command control, fire control and missile systems are developed by local Roketsan and Aselsan, the leading Turkish defense firms.

The medium-altitude air defense missiles' targets are military aircraft, helicopters, navigation missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, with a maximum range of 25km, according to Roketsan's statement.

The Hisar-O's first unarmed test was in 2014 in Aksaray.

--IANS

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