"Tomorrow on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, near the Edelweiss mountain range, an active stage of the Rubezh-2004 exercises will start. The exercises' particular feature is that we will for the first time practice the whole process of using the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces," Mr. Ivanov said.
In his words, interaction, coordination and the use of forces of the Central Asian direction are key issues to be practiced. "The situation there is stable but difficult. The threat of terrorist raids, as we remember by the example of 1999 in Kyrgyzstan, really exists. For a relatively short period of time, we managed to establish the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces in the Central Asia region, to establish the staff," Mr. Ivanov said.
In the minister's words, the first part of exercises was related to the staff and politics. "This is preparation of forces, which took place in Kazakhstan; from tomorrow, combat training will start on Kyrgyz territory."
"If we speak about Russian participation, combat aircraft both permanently stationed and specially deployed to Kyrgyzstan are used," said the minister.
In his words, "we want to practice our capabilities to reinforce Russian Air Force forces at the base in Kant [30 km east of Bishkek]. Aircraft both stationed in Kant and Su-27 aircraft, military MI-24 helicopters capable of operating in the nighttime and in the mountains will participate; we will see them operate at a big height, including navigation capabilities in the nighttime."
"And our A-50 plane, the remote radar provision aircraft, will cover and control the whole air zone of the exercises," added the minister.
"Other countries - our partners - also provide aircraft, and each party provides special purpose units. Russia will provide a special forces detachment numbering 150 people, which will act in small maneuverable groups capable of both blocking conditional gang formations and seizing strategically important heights. The exercises' scenario meets all modern realities," Mr. Ivanov said.
