RUSSIA

Russian Deputy Defence Minister Nikolai Pankov announced on February 11n this year that a modern air defence system would be sent to the Russian military base in Northern Kyrgyzstan. Moscow and Bishkek have been discussing it for several years and placing the system at the Kant military base some 40km from Bishkek, is a rather logical step in creating a unified air defence system for the Commonwealth of Independent States.

TASS reported that Russia’s Defence Ministry plans to sign a new contract in the summer for the delivery of several dozen Sukhoi Su- 34 frontline bombers to their Air Force with their combat capabilities expanded under the Sych experimental design work. The Sych experimental design work was completed in 2019 and it envisages installing under slung reconnaissance containers on Su- 34s.