United Regional Air Defense System

UNITED REGIONAL AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM
by Alexander Alexandrov

WPS Agency
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
February 17, 2010 Wednesday
Russia

INTERACTION IN THE FIELD OF AIR DEFENSE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
LINES OF COOPERATION OF CIS MEMBER STATES; Since the beginning of 2010,
Russia and Belarus started implementation of the agreement on joint
guarding of the air border of the Union State and establishment of
the united regional air defense system. In the last 15 years, the air
defense system of the CIS member states has remained the first and
the only really existing collective security system in the framework
of the CIS. Establishment of similar regional air defense systems in
the Caucasian and Central Asian collective security regions is the
next in turn.

Since the beginning of 2010, Russia and Belarus started implementation
of the agreement on joint guarding of the air border of the Union
State and establishment of the united regional air defense system.

In the last 15 years, the air defense system of the CIS member states
has remained the first and the only really existing collective security
system in the framework of the CIS. Establishment of similar regional
air defense systems in the Caucasian and Central Asian collective
security regions is the next in turn.

More than 3.7 billion rubles was allocated for improvement of the
national air defense systems, joint events, general and targeted
programs in the framework of the united air defense system of the
CIS from budgets of the CIS member states. Member countries organized
eight joint exercises with firing practice and more than 20 command
staff war games.

According to the Russian Air Force Commander, broadening of the zone
of responsibility of the coalition forces and means of the air defense
in the common airspace of the collective security regions will allow
not only increasing of capabilities of the forces on duty but will
also provide for serious saving of financial and material resources.

Establishment of similar regional air defense structures in the
framework of the united air defense system of the CIS is planned
not only in the East European region but also in the Caucasian
and Central Asian collective security regions. Draft agreements of
Russia with Armenia and Kazakhstan on establishment of the relevant
regional air defense systems have been worked out already and are
passing coordination. All of them will be included into the united
air defense system of the CIS member states.

At present, the structure of the united air defense system of the
CIS is represented by the air defense forces of Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.

The group of force of the united air defense system consists of
seven air defense brigades, approximately 50 air defense missile
units armed with air defense missile systems S-125, S-75, S-200
and S-300 of various modifications, more than 20 units of fighter
aviation armed with MiG-29, MiG-31 and Su-27 airplanes, more than
20 units and formations of radio technical troops and two electronic
countermeasures units.

Air defense duty is organized on the permanent basis in cooperation
with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Source: Krasnaya Zvezda, February 13, 2010, p. 2