MOSCOW. March 25 (Interfax-AVN) - A regional air defense command post is to be set up in the south of the CIS in the framework of the united air defense system.
The CIS Military Cooperation Coordination Headquarters told Interfax-Military News Agency that in the first place efforts will be directed at improving the system of controlling air defense weaponry and personnel of Central Asian member-countries of the May 15, 1992 collective security treaty.
In addition the system of air space reconnaissance and control in the southern direction will be updated. An air defense network for administrative and industrial centers as well as military facilities should be developed.
A regional command post in Central Asia will coordinate these efforts. Tentatively the command post will be set up in Kazakhstan.
All the main efforts should be completed by 2005 and are estimated at over RUB700m (USD22.46m). The member-countries will split the spending.