MOSCOW. Aug 29 (Interfax-AVN) - It will take 1.547 million Russian rubles ($52,733) to fund the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces headquarters in Central Asia and the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces headquarters in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in 2006, the CSTO Unified Headquarters told Interfax-Military News Agency.
"Military officials of the CSTO Unified Headquarters have coordinated draft financial documents for 2006. It will take 1.547 million Russian rubles ($52,733) to fund collective military management bodies," an official said.
According to him, the sum exceeds the 2005 budget by 374,000 Russian rubles ($13,148).
"The increase in funds is caused by rising prices and the necessity of investments in light of upgrading the mobile command and control post of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces," he said.
He pointed out that draft financial documents would be submitted to the CSTO permanent council for consideration at the next meeting.
He noted that member states funded the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces as follows: Russia - 50%, Kazakhstan - 30%, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan 10% each.
The Collective Rapid Deployment Forces in Central Asia were established in 2001 under the agreement of four CSTO member-states: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. At the present time the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces incorporate two battalions from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan each, three Russian battalions, and the Russian Kant airbase, deployed outside Bishkek (with an overall strength of 4,000 men).
CSTO includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.