Russian S-400 missile air defense systems are seen before the military parade to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the battle of Stalingrad in World War Two, in the city of Volgograd, Feb. 2, 2018. Photo: Reuters / Tatyana Maleyeva.

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

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

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for military officers, Erdogan said Turkey 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.