Turkey brushes off Nato concerns over Russia missile defence deal

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected Nato concerns over his country’s purchase of Russian-made missile defence systems.

Mr Erdogan has said in comments reported by Turkish media that accords had been signed and a deposit paid for the acquisition of the S-400 surface-to-air missile defence systems.

The deal has raised concerns with Nato allies who say the country should invest in systems compatible with theirs.

Turkey, however, accuses allies of failing to meet its defence needs.

Without naming any country, Mr Erdogan said on Wednesday that allies “went crazy” over the deal, adding that his country will “continue to take precautions when it comes to our security and we’ll fend for ourselves”.