Turkey to buy Russian missile systems

Turkey has signed a deal with Russia to buy S-400 missile defence systems in its first major weapons purchase from Moscow.

The accord for the surface-toair missile defence batteries is Ankara’s most significant pact with a non-Nato supplier.

“Signatures have been made for the purchase of S-400s from Russia. A deposit has also been paid,” said the president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “[Russian president Vladimir Putin] and myself are determined on this issue,” he said.

The purchase of the missile systems from a non-Nato supplier will raise concerns in the West. The Pentagon has already sounded the alarm, saying bluntly that “generally it’s a good idea” for Nato allies to buy inter-operable equipment.

Mr Erdogan said Turkey was free to make military acquisitions based on its defence needs. “We make the decisions about our own independence ourselves, we are obliged to take safety and security measures to defend our country,” he said.

Vladimir Kozhin, Mr Putin’s adviser for military and technical co-operation, said: “All decisions taken on this contract strictly comply with our strategic interests.”

Turkey, a Nato member since 1952, has troubled ties with the US over several issues, including Washington’s support of the People’s Protection Units Syrian Kurd militia, which Ankara considers to be a terrorist group.