MOSCOW. Dec 2 (Interfax-AVN) - The collective rapid deployment force in Central Asia is planned to be transformed into a regional grouping and reinforced with an aircraft team, a competent source in the Collective Security Council secretariat told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
"In accordance with a decision of the defense ministers council of the Collective Security Treaty the collective rapid deployment force is to be reinforced with an aircraft team comprising up to 20 SU-27 Flanker and SU-25 Frogfoot planes before the end of the year. The planes are to be relocated from Russia and Tajikistan to an airfield near Bishkek," the source said.
The force under command of Major General Sergei Chernomordin is headquartered in Bishkek. The airfield is located in the town of Kant 20km from Bishkek.
The source stressed that the aircraft team will number some 700 servicemen. "Structures of the collective rapid deployment force in Central Asia will be increased to a total of 5,000 people," the source noted.
"The force is being reinforced with an aircraft team, personnel, military equipment and armament to be able to cope with emergencies in Central Asia and possible complications related to Iraq," the source said.
The collective rapid deployment force was established on May 25, 2001 in line with a decision made in Yerevan by the presidents Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan that are signatories to the Collective Security Treaty. The force consists of four battalions stationed in their home countries. Only the Russian battalion of the 201st motorized rifle division is stationed in Tajikistan. Originally the forces numbered some 1,300 people.
At present the treaty brings together Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.