Russia vows to continue supplying weapons to Tajikistan

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has said that Russia will continue rendering military-technical assistance and supplying weapons to Tajikistan.

Shoigu made the remarks at a meeting with his Tajik counterpart Sherali Mirzo in Moscow on December 9, according to Kommersant.

The sides signed a plan for cooperation between the defence ministries of the two countries for 2023.

“We intend to consistently implement joint plans to ensure regional security. For this purpose, we will continue rendering military-technical assistance and assisting to increase the combat potential of the Tajik armed forces. This concerns the supply of Russian weapons, the training of troops and servicemen,” Shoigu said.

He added that ensuring the activity of the 201st Russian military base and strengthening its capabilities play an important role in ensuring regional security.

The 201st Russian military base was formed in 2004 on the basis of the 201st Gatchina Twice Red Banner Motorised Rifle Division to support Tajikistan.

Mirzo, for his part, stated that much work has been done since the last meeting within bilateral cooperation in June 2022, including a number of joint exercises.

Shoigu said that Moscow would provide the Tajik army with weapons and equipment free of charge in July 2021.