The airbase in Kant, a small town 20 km away from the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, was established as a part of the rapid deployment force under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The CSTO was formed two years ago by six former Soviet republics: Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Tajikistan and Belarus. At the press conference following the opening ceremony, the Russian president said that “by creating an air shield here in Kyrgyzstan we expect to strengthen security in the region, whose stability has become a tangible factor affecting the development of the international situation”. In his turn, Kyrgyz president Askar Akaev stated firmly that “the Russian airbase in Kant will ensure the security of the territory and airspace of Kyrgyzstan”.

The Kyrgyz Information Agency Kabar reports Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov saying that Russia is very much concerned about massive trafficking of cheap drugs and arms through the territory of Central Asia. He is convinced that the Kant airbase will provide favorable conditions to limit the spread of arms, drugs and Islamic extremism coming from neighboring Afghanistan and Tajikistan. “This move will boost security in the region. Security in Central Asia has a direct influence on Russia’s security. The presence of Russia including military in this region is in our interest”. Mr. Akaev remarked that the opening of the Russian airbase is “a concrete realization of the aims of the rapid deployment force and for Kyrgyzstan it will also represent powerful security umbrella”.

Most of journalists’ questions at the press conference were concerned with the coexistence of the Russian airbase in Kant with the neighboring airbase run by U.S.-led anti-terrorist coalition and the possible heightening of geopolitical competition in the region. Mr. Putin said that he is not concerned with the presence of the American airbase in Manas. He said that Russia, being a member of the international anti-terrorist coalition, backs up the actions of the international community. Putin explained that he sees no reason for competition and contradiction as two airbases have completely different missions. “The American base, the base of the international coalition, was set up for a concrete task to last during the operation in Afghanistan. The Kant airbase will provide security for Kyrgyzstan, for the whole region and will create favorable conditions for fighting terrorism in the Russian Federation itself”. Interfax reports Putin saying that “Manas base is temporary while new Russian base has been opened on a permanent basis”.

Local and international experts agree that this move is made in order to reassert Russia’s influence in Central Asia, which has severely diminished after the break up of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan and arrival of western military troops to the region. Despite numerous statements that deny the notion of rivalry and competition, many observers think that the establishment of an airbase is an obvious attempt to counter the growing U.S. influence in the strategic and oil-rich Central Asia. Many experts see no immediate threat endangering stability in the region. Thus the establishment of the Russian airbase in Central Asia has more to do with political symbolism rather than military significance. Local experts are not very optimistic about the peaceful and easy coexistence of the US and Russian forces in Kyrgyzstan. They say that such a balancing strategy between the two forces could end up in an open rivalry for influence and finally push the Kyrgyz authorities to make a clear-cut geopolitical choice.