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Russia to reduce territories for military object in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Materials 17 April 2015 12:01 (UTC +04:00)
Russia will reduce the leased territories of its military object in Kazakhstan by 1.6 million hectares
Russia to reduce territories for military object in Kazakhstan

Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 17

By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:

Russia will reduce the leased territories of its military object in Kazakhstan by 1.6 million hectares, according to the statements from the defense ministries of both countries.

The corresponding agreement was signed by defense ministers of two countries in Moscow on April 16.

Some unused territories of Sary-Shagan anti-ballistic missile testing range, Taysoygan range used by 929 Flight Test Center of Russian Air Force and Zhamantau testing range leased by Russia in Kazakhstan will be transferred back to Kazakhstan and used in the oil and gas sector, construction of residential buildings, railways and roads, and other needs.

The decision was made in accordance with Kazakh presidential order in order to meet Kazakhstan's economic interests, Kazakh Defense Ministry reported.

"We are going to take this step, taking into account requests of the Kazakh side. At the same time we are keeping as rented only those areas, which are the most necessary for tests," Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said.

The Russian side has considerable cost savings through reduction of lease payments and termination of expenditures on maintaining objects on transferred plots, which are now not necessary for us, the Deputy Minister said.

In accordance with the protocols, the total annual rent payments for using ranges will be decreased by more than $4 million per year (from $23.49 million to $19.36 million).

In addition, the new configuration of combat fields of the Russian Defense Ministry ranges allows to fully ensure testing new arms and military equipment at the required security conditions, Antonov said.

Edited by S.I.

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova

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