Article Posted on : - Jun 23, 2011

A file photo.

MOSCOW (PTI): Russia's Upper House Wednesday ratified an agreement which will allow Moscow to retain its military base in Armenia till 2044.

The Russian Federation Council ratified a protocol signed between Moscow and Yerevan in 2010, amending a 1995 bilateral pact extending use of the former Soviet 102nd Military Base in Gyumri (former Leninakan) near Armenia's border with Turkey through 2044.

South Caucasian Armenia is a member of Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) of seven former Soviet republics, now independent states.

The base is under the command of Russia's North Caucasus Military District and is part of the CIS integrated-air defence system.

At Gyumri base, Russia has deployed around 5,000 personnel and S-300 surface-to-air missile complexes and MiG-29 fighters.