Kazakhstan to continue to recieve aircraft under the 1995 rental agreement for Baikonur

Published: 1/24/2000

Kazakhstan and Russia have completed talks on developing cooperation between the two countries. However, a new protocol, which was signed by Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Mikhail Kasyanov and Kazakh Prime Minister, Kasymzhormarat Tokaev, leaves untouched the 1995 agreement under which Russian pays part of the rental arrears for the Baikonur space centre by providing Kazakhstan with aircraft. Under the terms of the agreement, Russia is to deliver a total of 73 combat aircraft to Kazakhstan. These comprise 21 MiG-29s, 14 Su-25s and 38 Su-27s, to replace those strategic bombers it intended to evacuate from Kazakhstan territory. In addition, between 1995 and 1997, Moscow handed over to Astana batches of weapons, estimated by the Russian Centre for Strategy and Technology Analysis, to be worth $94m-$110m, in payment for the rent of Russian military testing areas located in Kazakhstan territory. In 1999, Kazakhstan is reported to have received 16 Su-27s and one S-300 anti-aircraft missile complex. Russia is not alone in providing Kazakhstan with military hardware. For example, the US granted the Kazakh Navy several patrol boats. It is also assisting Kazakhstan with the restoration of a Soviet-period naval base in the Mangyshlak Peninsula. In addition, reports suggest that Turkey is planning to grant Kazakhstan a $700,000 credit for upgrading Kazakhstan armed forces" communications and control systems, with Turkish manufacturers acting as contractors.

Article ID: 1341