Erdogan hails S-400 deal, as Turkey marks 2016 coup bid anniversary

ANKARA, Turkey — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hails the controversial delivery of a Russian missile defense system, despite the threat of US sanctions, as Turkey marks the third anniversary of a bloody coup attempt.

Just days before the anniversary, the first batch of the Russian S-400 defense system was delivered to Turkey despite repeated US calls for them to cancel the deal or face punishment.

“We have begun to receive our S-400s. Some said, ‘they cannot buy them’… God willing the final part of this (delivery) will be in April 2020,” Erdogan tells a crowd of several thousand in Ankara.

The anniversary comes at a difficult moment for Erdogan. He faces a weakened economy, worsening relations with NATO ally the United States over the S-400 purchase, and a humiliating loss for his party in the recent Istanbul local election.

Erdogan says Turkey’s “next target was joint production with Russia” of the next missile defense system.

— AFP