Atambayev: Kyrgyz Armed Forces' modernization to build up defense capacities
BISHKEK. Jan 29 (Interfax) - Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev has discussed defense and security issues with General Staff Chief Asanbek Alymkozhoev, a source in the presidential press service told Interfax on Thursday.
Other items on the agenda were the Armed Forces reform and modernization and Kyrgyzstan's procurement of contemporary armaments and military hardware.
"Rearming and modernization of the Kyrgyz Armed Forces are important for strengthening defense capacities of the country," the press service quoted Atambayev as saying.
Alymkozhoev told Interfax earlier that Russian arms and military hardware would be supplied to Kyrgyzstan in 2014-2015 consistent with the bilateral agreements.
"At the first stage, in 2014, we procured artillery systems and ammunition and the next stage's procurement would be infantry combat vehicles, armored personnel carriers and combat reconnaissance vehicles," Alymkozhoev said.
In his words, a new package of military aid from Russia would reach the republic in spring 2015. "Assistance to Kyrgyzstan is being rendered according to the plan, and our needs have been discussed with the Russian side," he noted.