Erdogan: Turkey needs S-400 systems as soon as possible

Turkey needs Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile batteries and will procure them as soon as possible, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for military officers, the Turkish leader said Ankara also needs F-35 fighter jets and will continue to pay its installments to procure them from the United States, but would procure jets elsewhere if the United States halts the delivery of the F-35 fighter jets, Reuters reported.

Washington has expressed concern that NATO ally Turkey's planned deployment of the S-400s could risk the security of some U.S.-made weapons and other technology used by Turkey, including the F-35 jet.