Russian defence minister believes that CIS collective rapid deployment forces in Central Asia are sufficient

Chairman of the Council of CIS countries defence ministers and Russian defence minister Sergei Ivanov believes that the CIS collective rapid deployment forces in Central Asia are sufficient. He said this after the third stage of the operative-tactical exercises of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces which took place in the Ala-Too training centre of the Kyrgyz defence ministry.

Replying to the questions put by journalists about the possibility of conducting similar joint exercises with the participants in the international anti-terror coalition, Ivanov pointed out that there are no such plans now, but he would not fully rule out such possibility. "All will depend on the situation being obtained", he said.

Ivanov emphasised that the exercises of the collective rapid deployment forces will be conducted regularly. From the Russian side taking part in them are only enlisted servicemen. In the course of exercises, he continued, equipment, arms and hardware, which are most effective in the mountains, were used.

Heads of military departments of other CIS countries, which participated in the regular session of the CIS Council of Defence Ministers in Bishkek, observed the exercises together with Sergei Ivanov.