Russia and Kazakhstan announce joint air defense network

Russia and Kazakhstan announce joint air defense network

2010-12-08 21:22:09 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (BNO NEWS) -- Russia and Kazakhstan on Wednesday announced an agreement to form a joint regional air defense network, officials said.

"We have agreed to create a joint regional air defense network, which is similar to that of Russia and Belarus," Kazakh air defense chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Sorokin was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency.

Sorokin also stated that the Kazakh Air Force would be responsible for defending Russian airspace, as well as its regional border with Kazakhstan.

"The creation of this network envisions free-of-charge deliveries of Russian S-300 air defense systems to Kazakhstan," he added. "Kazakhstan is also interested in buying Russia's advanced S-400 Triumf air defense systems, but we understand that the Russian Army should get these systems on a priority basis."

Furthermore, Russia reportedly offered Kazakhstan to take part in the country's missile early warning and space monitoring network. It also offered the use of Russia's Glonass satellite global positioning network for military purposes.

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