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Key insights
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Radar deployment framed as civilian upgrade with military implications: Turkey presents the HTRS-100 as an air traffic control and infrastructure upgrade, while Western sources emphasize potential constraints on Israeli operations in Syrian airspace.
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Coverage suggests broader Turkish radar expansion in Syria: references earlier reporting that Turkey was working to deploy radar systems across Syrian territory, indicating the Damascus airport system may be part of a wider effort.
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What happened
Turkey has deployed the HTRS-100 air traffic control radar system, produced by Turkish defense company ASELSAN, at Damascus International Airport. Turkey’s Ambassador to Syria, Nuh Yilmaz, described the deployment as a major infrastructure upgrade for Syria’s main aviation hub in the capital. A Turkish expert said the system can precisely detect and track aerial targets around airports using advanced technologies for reliability and performance, with an operating range of about 150–200 km. Western sources warned the deployment could limit Israel’s freedom of action in Syrian airspace and heighten regional tensions. The Jerusalem Post previously reported that Turkey was working to deploy radar systems across Syrian territory, citing Western intelligence sources who said it could significantly reduce Israel’s aerial capabilities in the area.