KHABAROVSK, August 1 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will begin to supply Iskander missile systems to its Far East military district in 2006, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Monday.

Ivanov, on a tour of the Far East, said the country's leadership was paying close attention to the Far Eastern military district, including measures to supply modern hardware to its units.

The Iskander is a high-precision, operational and tactical missile system capable of destroying anti-missile and air defense systems, grounded aircraft, artillery, and civil infrastructure. The missile system has a range from 50 to 280 kilometers. The missile's launching weight is 3,800 kilograms. Each of the Iskander's two missiles carries a 480-kg multiple warhead.