Russia to improve fighting potential at airbase in Kyrgyzstan
By Aynur Jafarova
Russia plans to improve the fighting potential of its airbase in Kyrgyzstan's Kant city, Trend Agency reported Russian Defense Minister as quoting on February 3.
Starting last December, Russia began supplying arms to Kyrgyzstan in light of the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan which is planned for 2014.
"We intend to increase the fighting potential of the Russian airbase in Kant regularly," Sergey Shoygu said during negotiations with his Kyrgyz counterpart Taalaybek Omuraliyev.
Shoygu didn't mention any details and only noted that Russia and Kyrgyzstan give "significant importance" to planning joint military operations with the participation of the Kyrgyz army and the representatives of the Russian military base.
"I hope these efforts will facilitate creating a secure defense potential, with the ability to counter challenges and threats to our countries' security," he said.
The Russian airbase in Kant, located 20 kilometers (12 miles) outside the capital, Bishkek, was established in October 2003. The base currently has 10 Sukhoi fighters, two Mi-8 helicopters, and about a dozen other transport and training airplanes.
Russia and Kyrgyzstan had a disagreement over the Kant airbase in 2012. Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev complained that the Russian base was not benefiting Kyrgyzstan and instead owed Bishkek $15 million in back rent.
However, Russia and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement in September 2012 which allowed Moscow to continue operating at the Kant airbase until 2032 in exchange for Russia's writing off nearly $500 million in debt owed by Kyrgyzstan.