KANT (Kyrgyzstan), February 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russia plans to reinforce its airbase in the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan, the air force commander said Wednesday. "The base will be doubled in terms of personnel and aircraft within a year," General Vladimir Mikhailov said.
He promised to improve living conditions for personnel at the Kant base, about 20 miles west of the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.
One of the main tasks for the Russian contingent this year will be training Kyrgyz pilots using Russian L-39 Albatros jet trainers, Mikhailov said, adding that he would discuss these issues at a meeting with the Kyrgyz defense minister Thursday.
The Kant airbase was established in October 2003 to enable Russian jets to provide close air support for ground units of member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO - Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan).
Last year, Kyrgyzstan said it was planning to make changes to an agreement on the status of the U.S. Manas airbase located at Bishkek's main airport. It was created in 2001 to support refueling and cargo missions for U.S.-led anti-terrorist operations in neighboring Afghanistan. It is currently the only U.S. base in former Soviet Central Asia, following the expulsion of American troops from Uzbekistan.
