Turkey to take missile decision after elections

Turkey has once again postponed its final decision on the contractor of its multi-billion dollar long-range air and anti-missile defense system, as it may rethink the Russian offer, a senior official says Ankara has put off its final decision on a disputed, multi-billion dollar contract for the acquisition of the country's first long-range air and anti-missile defense system.

Senior defense procurement officials said the government was reluctant to make a decision until after parliamentary elections on June 7.

"Talks with all three bidders are in progress but there is every indication that a decision will have to be made by the new government," a senior official said.

He said the contract would be further discussed at the first meeting of the Defense Industry Executive Committee. The committee is chaired by the prime minister. Its other members are the defense minister, the chief of the military general staff and the head of the defense procurement office, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM).

However, the official said, that does not mean a decision will be announced after the first post-election meeting of the committee. "Further deliberations may be required," he said, signaling the potential for more delays.

Earlier, Turkish officials said the government abstained from making a decision on the contract before Apr. 24, the centennial of the Armenian genocide. They said Ankara would first wish to see the U.S. and French positions on the "genocide claims" before awarding a critical and large defense contract, potentially to a bidder from one of these countries. 

Another defense official said the eliminated Russian bid could re-enter the picture, depending on how keen the Russians...