Azernews.Az

Moscow may consider using the Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan as an element of its missile defense system, Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization Nikolai Bordyuzha told a news briefing on Thursday, Itar-Tass reported.

"The Gabala radar is used in Russian interests, there is the relevant agreement," Bordyuzha said, adding "if we need to use this segment in the Russian missile defense system, Moscow will raise the issue of prolonging the agreement."

The Russian Defense Ministry recently reported that negotiations were underway with Azerbaijan to extend the lease of the radar station until 2025. The lease agreement will expire on December 24, 2012.

The Gabala radar station, located in northwestern Azerbaijan, was built during the Soviet times as one of the key elements of the USSR’s missile defense system. After Azerbaijan gained independence and became owner of the radar station, Russia continued to operate the facility.

The radar station allows to track territory spanning 6,000 km, including Iran, Turkey, India, the Middle East, as well as the Indian Ocean and a part of the Australian continent. The early warning equipment would immediately track mid-range missiles with nuclear warheads potentially launched from these territories.