The Russian Defense Ministry has started modernizing the Qabala radar station, leased from Azerbaijan. It is a unique military facility, allowing air and space to be controlled at a range of thousands of kilometers, Vesti reports.
It has been in need of modernisation for several years. Officers say the updated radar station will have its range increased 50%, reaching the equator.
The commander of the Qabala radar station, Victor Timoshenko, says that the recent update of technical resources will allow them to operate for 10, 15 or even 20 years.
Re-equipment procedures have already started, with semiconductors having been replaced, Alexey Staroverov, head of the section for exploitation of the Qabala radar station's equipment, said.
Russia and Azerbaijan concluded a deal on renting the Qabala radar station for 10 years. The deal expires in 2012. There is no information on any extension of the deal.
