Russia's Kyrgyz base will be technically able to accept strategic bombers in six months - minister
MOSCOW. Sept 21 (Interfax) - The airfield of the Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan will be technically capable of accepting strategic bombers in six months, Russia's Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov told journalists on Friday.
"We will complete the technical reconstruction [of the Kant airfield's runway] in half a year. It means that, in theory, the airfield will be able to accept our strategic aircraft in six months, but any actual landing of such an airplane is a certain claim that should be considered thoroughly," he said.
Efforts aimed at establishing Russia's combined military base in Kyrgyzstan will be completed soon, Serdyukov said.
"We will create a unified system of control and a unified command center. The senior military commander will be appointed. All this is mentioned in the agreements," the minister said.
Russia plans to merge its underwater weapons testing base in Karakola, military communications center in Kara-Balta, radio-seismic laboratory in Mayly-Suu and the Collective Security Treaty Organization's (CSTO) airbase in Kant into one base to be supervised by a single commander.
Addressing the recently signed Russian-Kyrgyz agreement regulating a timeframe for the combined base's presence in Kyrgyzstan, Serdyukov spoke about the existence of multiple issues, including those linked with investment.
Russia needs to understand clearly how long it will be able to use this base in Kyrgyzstan "in order to settle there thoroughly, build, modernize the base and provide it with hardware," the minister said.
"As a matter of fact, we are "sitting" on the weapons we lease from them. But their technical condition, age and characteristics no longer suit us. Naturally, we would like to replace them, but would it make sense to spend enormous money on procurement and withdraw everything in three years?" he said.
Kyrgyzstan's political and military leaders have repeatedly confirmed their interest in the presence of Russia's military base on Kyrgyz territory, Serdyukov said.
"This issue has received a good follow-up in the past three months. Frankly speaking, I am very pleased with everything we have signed," the minister said.
