Russians to reinforce Kyrgyz military base by end of 2004

Interfax-AVN military news agency web site, Moscow
9 Aug 04

Kant, Kyrgyzstan, 9 August: The Russian Kant Air Force base in
Kyrgyzstan will be reinforced with personnel and materiel before
year-end, a source in the AFB Air Force base staff told
Interfax-Military News Agency Monday 9 August .

“It will become 650 men and 20 aircraft strong,” he said.

According to him, the fleet of aircraft will include Su-27 Flanker
fighters, Su-26 Frogfoot attack aircraft, L-39 planes and Mi-8 Hind
choppers.

The runway is to be increased to allow landing for all types of
aircraft in service with the Russian Air Force. “Moreover, there are
plans to increase the parking area by 70 per cent,” he said.

Russian Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov told reporters on 6 August that
the Kant AFB will be reinforced. “Russian leadership has plans to
further develop the Kant AFB, and President Vladimir Putin has
approved of them,” he said.

Putin and his Kyrgyz counterpart Askar Akayev officially opened the
Kant AFB on 23 October 2003.

The base was formed to support the Collective Rapid Deployment Force
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Central Asia.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization, formed in May 2002,
includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and
Tajikistan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress