MOSCOW, May 28. /ITAR-TASS/. A new Russian-made optic-electronic complex will be used for operation in monitoring compliance with the Treaty on Open Skies, according to Russia’s Deputy Minister of Defense Anatoly Antonov.

“Representatives of the states that are parties to TOS, who participated in certification, have signed a report, which makes it possible to use the domestically-made digital camera in TOS observation flights over foreign states,” he explained.

Antonov recalled that the preparation for an international certification of the Russian digital observation instrumentation had been made in the course of the past three years. A large amount of flight tests and trials by means of non-flying testbeds had been carried out.

“We consider that this was not in vain. This is Russia's contribution to optimizing the methodology of introducing modern digital instruments to operate 'in the field' under the TOS, so as to render the Treaty more effective," the Deputy Minister emphasized. “The use of the new instrumentation has considerably increased the informative value of data received, raised the promptitude of their processing and duplication, and expanded resources for documenting and archiving of photo pictures.”

Antonov related that the certification of the Russian camera had become possible also due to years-long intensive work of an international team of experts on observation instrumentation at the Vienna-based Open Skies Consultative Commission who worked out a package of major documents necessary for introducing digital sensors to the everyday practice of observation flights.

“Thereby, the Russian Federation is the first among four TOS countries to certify the digital instrumentation,” the Deputy Minister of Defense said.

“It appears that this step has reaffirmed the viability of TOS and opened up new prospects for its strengthening and development. We expect that the Treaty will continue to serve in future as well further to strengthen confidence-building measures and security in Europe resultant of an enhanced transparency of military activities,” Antonov said in conclusion.