MOSCOW. Oct 1 (Interfax-AVN) - A protocol expanding supplies on easy terms of defense hardware for Collective Security Treaty Organization member nations has been submitted to the State Duma, an official in the lower house's headquarters told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday.
The protocol allows for supplies of defense hardware to be given not only to units incorporated in multinational forces of the organization but also to all services of the member nations, the official said.
The protocol also provides for sending arms to any member nation in numerous cases. They include an aggression against a member nation, realization of the nation's right to self-defense under the UN Charter, and terrorist attacks or other threats to national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"The decision to expand supplies on easy terms of defense hardware was made to boost efficiency of military technical cooperation between member nations of the treaty," the official said.
The protocol's ratification will contribute to the strengthening of military and political integration in the CSTO framework, maintaining optimal military presence of Russia on the former USSR territory, and countering attempts at forming regional security systems not involving Russia, the document's explanatory note reads.
The CSTO includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.