MOSCOW. Aug 2 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov is to leave for Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday to monitor the Rubezh 2004 coalition exercise, the Russian Defense Ministry told Interfax-Military News Agency.
"The exercise to be held in Kyrgyzstan on August 3-6 will see participation of military units from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, which are part of the Collective Rapid Deployment Force in Central Asia," the source said.
He said that the exercise was a counterterrorism one, aimed at refining joint operations in the Central Asian collective security area.
About 150 Russian Special Service servicemen will be deployed outside Lake Issyk-Kul, which will see the active stage of the exercise, involving live firing exercises, the source said.
The exercise will also see participation of SU-25 Frogfoot attack aircraft, SU-24 Fencer tactical bombers, SU-27 Flanker fighters, MIG-27 Flogger fighter/bombers, A-50 AWACS aircraft, as well as MI-24 Hind and KA-50 Hokum attack helicopters. The Russian Special Service units will be airlifted by MI-8 Hip helicopters.
In addition to Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Russian, and Tajik defense ministers the exercise will also be monitored by Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev.