Kyrgyz, Russian Defense Ministries preparing to create common air defense system - Kyrgyz General Staff
BISHKEK. Feb 12 (Interfax) - The Kyrgyz Defense Ministry and the Russian Defense Ministry are preparing to sign a separate agreement envisaging the creation of a common regional air defense system, the Kyrgyz General Staff told Interfax on Wednesday.
"The defense ministries of Kyrgyzstan and Russia are preparing to sign a separate international treaty envisaging the creation of a common regional air defense system as part of work to enhance the security system," the General Staff said.
In order to further develop bilateral military and military-technical cooperation, Kyrgyzstan and Russia signed a protocol in March 2019 making changes and amendments to the agreement on the status of and conditions for the presence of the Russian military base on Kyrgyz territory, the General Staff said.
"This document, among others, envisages conditions for the joint use of Russian drones on the territory of Kyrgyzstan, as well as the repair of the aerodrome zone, including the runway, which is a jointly used facility. The parties are currently conducting the intrastate procedures necessary for this protocol to take effect," the General Staff said.
The Russian Federation Council ratified on Wednesday a protocol to the agreement with Kyrgyzstan on the status of and the conditions for the presence of the unified Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan.
The Russian air base Kant has been located on the territory of Kyrgyzstan since October 2003. It has Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jets and Mi-8MTV helicopters. The base is a part of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Central Military District of Russia and an aviation component of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces; it is involved in protecting the territory and air space belonging to Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) countries.