CSTO collective forces to receive modern weapons

Defense ministers of the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will meet in Astana today to discuss armament of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF), press secretary of the CSTO Vladimir Zaynetdinov said, RIA Novosti reports.

The ministers will hold a session chaired by Kazakh Defense Minister Adilbek Jaksybekov. They will talk about modern weapons and equipment for the collective forces and military and economic cooperation.

CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha will present a report. Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Oganyan will inform the ministers about joint drills planned for 2012.

Attendees of the session will also participate in the opening of the international exhibition for weapons and military equipment KADEX-2012.

CSTO states agreed on formation of the CRRF in February 2009 and signed a related document on June 14, 2009.

The CRRF consists of mobile armed formations equipped with advanced weapons and vehicles. They consist of law enforcers, security services and emergency staff.

The CSTO consists of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.