BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan is seeking military equipment from Russia.
Speaking at a bilateral Kyrgyz-Russian commission, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Kyrgyz military, Colonel Nurlan Chomoev, stated that Bishkek and Moscow are in negotiations for new supplies of Russian weapons and military hardware. He highlighted Kyrgyzstan's requirement for more combat helicopters and air-defense systems, saying specifically that Kyrgyzstan wants two Buk-M1 surface-to-air missile systems.
Colonel Chomoev did not specify what type of helicopters the country was looking for, but noted that Kyrgyzstan's mountainous territory makes helicopters an important investment for the military, in order to enable access to remote areas. Kyrgyzstan likely is interested in Mi-17 transport helicopters and, like its neighbors, may also be interested in the Mi-35M, an attack helicopter.
Russia has worked to assist Kyrgyzstan in building up military capabilities. Colonel Chomoev stated that, from 2014 to 2018, Russia provided over $125 million in military assistance to the Central Asian country, much of which came in the form of hardware like armored vehicles, missile systems, and aircraft. In August of last year, Kyrgyzstan's Air Force took delivery of a pair of An-26s from Russia.
The Russian military operates an airbase in Kyrgyzstan and the two countries are currently said to be negotiating over an additional base, which if agreed upon could be located in southern Kyrgyzstan.
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