Turkey’s Erdogan: No Backing Out of S-400 Missile Deal

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Ankara is “committed” to a deal with Moscow in which Turkey will purchase Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft missile defense systems, a move that has angered the United States and other NATO members. “There is a certain step that we took; there is an agreement here and we are committed to it,” Erdogan told reporters Tuesday after his morning prayers. “It is out of the question for us to take a step back.” The S-400 – described as a very potent anti-aircraft system – is said to be incompatible with air defense systems used by NATO countries, and also could be used to track the F-35, the U.S. stealth fighter that Turkey is thinking about buying. He mentioned a U.S. offer to sell Turkey American-made Patriot air defense systems but added that in his eyes, the S-400 was better – and also a better deal.