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Russian arms and military equipment delivered to Tajikistan — Defense Ministry

In 2017, Tajikistan received Russian military products In 2017 worth $122 mln

DUSHANBE, December 19. /TASS/. A new batch of Russian armaments, military and military-technical equipment has been delivered to Dushanbe for Tajikistan’s Armed Forces on Tuesday to protect the border with Afghanistan.

"The transferred armaments and military equipment will make it possible to expand the capabilities of Tajikistan’s armed forces to repel the terror threat and create an effective barrier along the Tajik-Afghan border," chief of the Main Directorate of the International Military Cooperation at the Russian Defense Ministry Maj. Gen. Alexander Kshimovsky said during the delivery ceremony.

Among the delivered arms and equipment were T-72B1 tanks, BTR-80 and BTR-70 armored personnel carriers, BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters, D-30 howitzers, anti-aircraft mounts, surveying equipment, spare parts for armored vehicles, communications equipment, logistic property and a large number of small arms.

"In 2017, Tajikistan received $ 122 mln worth of Russian military products," Kshimovsky said.

"Strengthening Tajikistan’s Armed Forces is one of our priorities, as we believe our friendly relations and cooperation to be important for regional stability," he added.

According to Kshimivsky, Tajikistan can always rely on Russia’s support in the security filed. "The armed forces of our countries should be ready to face any kind of situations, including negative ones," the Russian general pointed out.

On Tuesday, another batch of Russian military equipment was handed over to the Tajik Armed Forces to be used for controlling the border with Afghanistan. According to Kshimovsky, in 2017, the country received "Russian military hardware worth $122 mln."

The Russian Defense Ministry provided all the help on a free-of-charge basis, he said. Kshimovsky expressed confidence that the joint actions of the countries and Russia’s military-technical support will help create a combat potential capable of protecting from all existing and forecasted security threats in the Central Asia. He noted that the military-technical support became possible due to the political will of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu.