Kazakhstan and Russia on their way to joint air defence system

Defense Ministers of the CIS countries. ©kazpravda.kz

The legal framework of the joint air defence system of Kazakhstan and Russia has been completed, and its practical implementation has commenced, Tengrinews reports citing RIA Novosti.

Kazakhstan Minister of Defence Imangali Tasmagambetov met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on April 16 within the framework of the International Security Conference in Moscow, Russia that brought together 400 representatives of 70 countries, including 15 ministers of defence and representatives of six international organisations on April 16-17.

Kazakh Defence Minister spoke about the joint regional system. “All the legal procedures for creation of the joint air defence system have been completed and now the system is at the stage of practical implementation,” Imangali Tasmagambetov said.

He added that the commander of the system who will be selected jointly by Kazakhstan and Russia, had not been appointed, but the candidate for the position had been approved by the Russian President Vladimir Putin and that President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev would soon announce his decision. “Therefore, the system virtually enters into force in practice,” Tasmagambetov said.

The agreement on the joint regional air defense system was signed by then Defence Minister of Kazakhstan Adilbek Dzhaksybekov and Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu back in January 2013.

The purpose of this system is to protect the airspace of Kazakhstan and Russia and ensure security of the two countries.

During peaceful time the system will remain in operational readiness and participate in Kazakh-Russian joint exercises. Each country's air defence units will stay under their country's command, but will follow common standards of operational and combat training.

During wartime the joint air defence system of the two countries will be used in accordance with their joint vision and plans.

This cooperation will serve the interests of both Russia and Kazakhstan. For Kazakhstan, the joint air defence system means enhancement of its defense potential, because Russia has a more up-to-date air defense. In addition, it relieves Kazakhstan from spending considerable money on building its own AA system. For Russia, this system reduces extraterritorial threats.

Writing by Assel Satubaldina, editing by Tatyana Kuzmina

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