Moscow, Astana To Create Regional Air-Defense System

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu

Russia and Kazakhstan have signed a document to establish a joint regional air-defense system.

The Kazakh Defense Ministry says the agreement was signed on January 30 in Astana by Kazakh Defense Minister Adilbek Dzhaksybekov and his visiting Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu.

The Kazakh Defense Ministry said the planned system would strengthen the security of Kazakhstan's airspace, as well as adjacent Russian border areas.

Quoted by Interfax, Shoigu called the agreement "very important."

He said the proposed system would contain "new components," including "missile defense" elements. He did not elaborate.

Shoigu arrived in the Kazakh capital after a visit to Armenia.

Based on reporting by Interfax and en.trend.az