95. Intelligence Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency1
Turkey’s Search for Alternate Sources of Arms
Summary
[handling restriction not declassified] During the 2 years which have elapsed since the US arms embargo was imposed in February 1975, Turkey has been attempting to reduce the traditional dependence of its armed forces on US military equipment. Turkish efforts to develop alternate sources of arms have taken four basic forms:
—attempting to acquire arms, through either purchase or foreign aid, from other NATO members;
—increasing domestic arms production;
—investigating the possibilities of cooperation with other Muslim states and of direct purchase from non-NATO countries; and
—exploring the possibility of obtaining arms from the Soviet Union.
Although the Turks have had some success in locating non-US sources, the overall result of the effort has probably convinced them that there is no source or combination of sources which can satisfactorily replace the US for some time to come.
[handling restriction not declassified] Meanwhile, the embargo has caused serious difficulties for the Turkish forces, particularly the air force, at a time when Greece is significantly improving the quality of its forces through the introduction of new US and French equipment. Turkey’s acquisition of F–4s since the partial lifting of the embargo has only partly alleviated the situation. [3 lines not declassified]
[Omitted here is the body of the memorandum.]
- Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Directorate of Intelligence, Job 80T00633A, Box 1. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. A note at the bottom of the first page reads: “This OSR contribution was requested by the NIO for Western Europe. It is to be incorporated into a DDI intelligence memorandum entitled Turkey: Economic Situation Facing the New Government which will be drafted by CIA’s Office of Economic Research.” That memorandum was not found.↩