RUSSIAN-ARMENIAN AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM HELPS CREATE BUFFER ZONE – TV REPORT

RTR Rossiya, Moscow
17 Feb 07

[Presenter] CIS air force commanders have monitored how a new
joint Russian-Armenian air defence system is operating. After the
Russian-Belarusian system [was created] it became the second stage of
setting up a buffer air defence zone around Russia. Our correspondent
Aleksey Baranov has the details.

[Vladimir Mikhaylov, Russian air force commander-in-chief] Good
afternoon. I am flying to Armenia, my call sign is 75499.

[Correspondent] While air force commander-in-chief Mikhaylov pilots
an Il-18 aircraft, servicemen are performing routine combat duties
at the Russian air base near Yerevan. A unit of MiG-29 aircraft forms
part of the single air defence system of the CIS.

Obviously, it is the most remarkable aircraft at the Russian air base
in Armenia. An aircraft technician who has constantly worked with
this aircraft over six years painted a snow leopard on the MiG-29. In
Russian military aviation it is the technicians who are permanently
assigned to each aircraft, whereas pilots change depending on the
duty schedule.

The deputy squadron commander has served abroad for eight years. He
says that combat aircraft made 18 years ago are still the best light
fighters in the world.

[Valeriy Ded, captioned as deputy squadron commander] It is simple
work for real men, serving [in the army]. I would like to master
another type of aircraft, the MiG-35. I saw it on TV.

[Correspondent] It is not an inspection, it is a working visit. CIS air
force commanders are studying Armenia’s experience. The most modern
joint Russian-Armenian air defence system serves as a model for the
coalition military structures in the Caucasus and in Central Asia.

Armenia’s air defence command post is also an element of the single
system of the CIS air defence. Col Babayan studied in Soviet times
and began serving in the USSR.

[Nikolay Babayan, captioned as head of general staff of Armenian
air defence troops] Each country was going its own way. In 1995,
10 states made a historically justified decision to join their efforts.

[Correspondent] The location of the HQ of the single air defence
system of the CIS is yet to be decided. In any case, the Caucasus
ring, following the Russian-Belarusian air defence system, will be
the second step in creating a buffer air defence zone around Russia.

[Mikhaylov] The whole territory is under radiation control. The
airspace is very carefully protected. If there is control, there will
be a proper reaction to violators.

[Correspondent] [This is] the final stage of setting up a single
collective security system in the Central Asian region.