Russia and allies to create joint air defenceFri Feb 6, 2009 1:34pm GMT
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia and its post-Soviet allies are planning to create a joint air defence system stretching from NATO's borders to China, news agencies quoted an official from their Moscow-led regional security group as saying on Friday. Russia and Belarus, which borders NATO members Poland and Lithuania, agreed Tuesday to merge their air defence systems in a move seen by many experts as a response to U.S. plans to deploy elements of its missile defence system in Eastern Europe.
"The united air defence system of Russia and Belarus will become part of a joint air defence system of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (ODKB)," Interfax news agency quoted general secretary Nikolai Bordyuzha as saying.
The seven-member ODKB also includes the Caucasus republic of Armenia and four Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
"We are planning to create within the framework of our organisation three regional air defence systems including Russia-Belarus, Russia-Armenian in the Caucasus region and the Central Asian air defence system," Bordyuzha added.
The joint air defence project, which would combine early warning systems of member states and create a single control centre, has been talked about for years. Bordyuzha did not say when the project would finally be accomplished.
Out of seven ODKB states only Russia has a major modern air defence system capable of detecting and destroying both airplanes and missiles. Russia also has several major radars in ex-Soviet states.
Moscow has recently stepped up efforts to reinforce economic, military and security ties with ex-Soviet allies most of whom are being actively courted by the West and show some willingness for a more balanced foreign policy less dependent on Moscow.
Russia and Belarus decided on the creation of the joint air defence system Tuesday, a day before ODKB leaders agreed to set up a joint fast reaction force at their summit in Moscow.
The decisions have been accompanied by hefty Russian financial aid to allies struggling with the global crisis. Continued...
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http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE5153BZ20090206
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