Russian Defense Ministry plans to expand presence in several parts of globe - Shoigu
MOSCOW. Feb 26 (Interfax-AVN) - The Defense Ministry plans to expand Russian military presence in several key regions of the world, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a Wednesday meeting with journalists.
"We plan to expand our presence. Currently we are working with the Seychelle islands, Singapore, Nicaragua and Venezuela," he specified.
"We plan additional talks this year," he said.
One of the objectives of the process is to support the flights of Russian strategic aviation, the minister said.
"We need refueling bases either in the area of equator or elsewhere, - he said adding. - We are holding talks and are close to results."
Shoigu reminded reporters that in 2013 a flight of Russian fighters assumed combat duty in Belarus. "A regiment will be deployed there this year," he said.
The minister said that the Russian military base in Tajikistan has been switched from brigade to division format.
In his opinion, the Russian grouping in Kyrgyzstan was significantly reinforced at the expense of aviation. "We have deployed paratroopers there," he said.
"Big work is being done to reflect Russia's line on missile defense. Recently we expressed our attitude to the CFE Treaty and said that we would return to the issue," he said.
