Russian General Staff chief concerned about NATO’s activity near Russian borders

The chief of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov expressed concern about NATO’s increased military activity near Russian borders, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.

Gerasimov told NATO Military Committee Chairman, General Knud Bartels, by phone that such activity does not contribute to enhanced security in Europe.

“The sides confirmed the understanding of reciprocal steps aimed at decreasing tension and stabilizing the situation,” the Defense Ministry said. “The interlocutors also exchanged opinions on the situation around the crisis in Ukraine,” the ministry said. The two high-ranking defense officials agreed to continue contacts.

Ukraine is in turmoil after a coup occurred in the country in February. New people were propelled to power amid riots as security concerns caused President Viktor Yanukovich to leave the country the same month.

Russian troops to return to permanent bases after drills on Ukraine border

Military units of Russian Armed Forces are returning to permanent bases after war games in regions bordering Ukraine, Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with BBC on Tuesday.

“It seems to me that several days will be enough,” Antonov told BBC in reply to a journalist’s question on how much time the return of Russian troops to permanent bases might take. “If you ask me, when we will begin this process, I want to confirm openly that it has already started right after an order of our president,” he said.

On May 19, the Kremlin stated that Russian President and Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin gave an order to bring back troops to their permanent bases after war games in Rostov-on-Don, Belgorod and Bryansk regions.

Russian navy will take delivery of 10 deck-based MiG-29K/KUB fighters

Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG will deliver 10 deck-based MiG-29K/KUB fighters to Russian navy in 2014, Lenta.ru reports with reference to the CEO of RAC MiG, Sergey Korotkov.

According to him, RAC MiG will also deliver six jets of the type to Indian navy. In 2013 Russian and Indian navy took delivery of four and seven MiG-29K/KUB fighters respectively.

Russian Ministry of Defense signed a contract for delivery of MiG-29K/KUB aircraft in February 2012. Under this agreement RAC MiG must deliver 20 single-seat MiG-29K jets and four two-seat MiG-29KUB jets to the customer. It was reported in November 2013 that all of the abovementioned aircraft should be delivered to the Russian navy by 2015.

MiG service center responsible for maintenance of MiG-29 fighters to open in India next year

A service center for maintenance of MiG-29 aircraft will be opened in India next year, ITAR-TASS reports with reference to CEO of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (RAC MiG), Sergey Korotkov.

“This year we must deliver equipment to the service center constructed under an agreement. It will open next year in accordance with the contract obligations of both parties. RAC MiG is implementing this contract in cooperation with Indian enterprises”, – Sergey Korotkov noted.

It was reported earlier that RAC MiG signed two additional contracts with Basant Aerosrace Privet Limite (India) in the network of a general offset contract with Indian air forces at MAKS-2013. The contracts are valued at $55 million.