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Russia plans to deploy air forces in Abkhazia

29 January 2009 15:39 (UTC +04:00)

Moscow â€“ APA. Russia may base warplanes in Abkhazia in support of a naval base soon to be constructed there, Interfax news agency quoted a Russian official as saying on Thursday, APA reports. The military diplomat told Interfax Russia would like to deploy around 20 aircraft in Abkhazia, including Sukhoi Su-27 jet fighters, Su-25 ground attack aircraft and military transport planes. "The Bombora airfield is one of the most important military installations on the Black Sea coast and the largest military aerodrome in the South Caucasus," Interfax quoted an anonymous military diplomat as saying.
"To deploy an air force unit there will not need any serious investment, because it already has all the necessary land infrastructure."
The Bombora airfield has 4-km airstrip and it is situated in 60-70 meters from the seaside which enables the aircraft to fly under radars. The airfield can be used for all kinds of aircrafts. The Bombora Airfield outside Gudauta was home to a Soviet-era Airborne Forces.