Russia Plans to Deliver New Aircraft to Belarus Air Base: Defense Minister

Russia will increase the number of airplanes and helicopters at its base to be opened in Belarus, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday during a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Andrei Ravkov.

“I’m ready to continue our discussion of cooperation on a practical basis today. This is in regard to the S-300 [anti-aircraft missile system], as well as the creation and basing of [our] aviation in Belarus by increasing the number of airplanes and helicopters. This should provide for the security of our common airspace,” Shoigu said.

The Russian airbase is to be opened near the city of Bobruisk in 2016. Neither defense minister specified the amount of hardware to be based there.

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