MOSCOW, April 9. /TASS/. Moscow will continue assisting Tajikistan in modernizing and reequipping its armed forces, said Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov after negotiations with Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirodjidin Aslov.

"We have confirmed that we are ready to continue assisting our Tajik friends in modernizing and reequipping the country’s armed forces," the Russian foreign minister said. "We will provide our cooperation in order to ensure that the borders of Tajikistan are strengthened."

Last December, it was reported that Russia would deliver rifle and artillery armaments, as well as armored force vehicles (BTR-80 armored personnel carrier, BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, and T-72 tanks), Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters, communications equipment and air defense weapons. In 2017, Tajikistan received Russian military equipment to the tune of 122 million dollars.

Tajikistan’s Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo stated that the Russian military equipment would be used to strengthen the border with Afghanistan.