NATO concerned over Turkey's purchase of missile systems from Russia

Erdogan said Turkey was free to make military acquisitions based on its defence needs

Turkey has entered into a deal with Russia for its first major weapons purchase of S-400 missile defense systems, in an accord in an accord that could trouble Ankara's NATO allies.

The purchase of the surface-to-air missile defence systems from a non-NATO supplier will raise concerns in the West over their compatibility with the alliance's equipment, the Xinhua quoted a report.

"Signatures have been made for the purchase of S-400s from Russia. A deposit has also been paid as far as I know," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in comments published in several newspapers on Tuesday.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin and I are determined on this issue and we take our own decisions," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told mediapersons aboard his presidential jet returning from a trip to Kazakhstan.

Erdogan said Turkey was free to make military acquisitions based on its defense needs.

Moscow also confirmed the accord, with Vladimir Kozhin, Putin's adviser for military and technical cooperation, saying: "The contract has been signed and is being prepared for implementation.