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Gabala radar station (Daryal), which exploitation was suspended in December, 2012 and was handed over by Russia in mid-2013, has been removed from the inventory of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, the Defense Ministry exclusively told APA.
The agreement on “The status, principles and terms of Gabala RLS between the Azerbaijani Government and the Russian Government” became invalid on December 9, 2012. The station’s exploitation was fully suspended after the relevant note handed by Russia on December 10, 2012.
Under the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, the property and territory of the former Gabala radar station will be used by relevant bodies in the future.
“Under the order of the Cabinet of Ministers dated December 11, 2012, composition of the Commission implementing the measures regarding the closure of the radar station has been determined and relevant government agencies have resolved issues related to the implementation of the commission’s objectives. The Commission on handover of Gabala radar station completed all the issues set forth. Under the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, the property and territory of the former Gabala radar station will be used by relevant bodies in the future,” said the Ministry.
APA reports quoting government sources that Gabala radar station has been removed from the inventory of the Defense Ministry and included in the inventory of the State Committee on Property Issues. Currently, the rest of property and territory of Gabala radar station are being protected by security police.
A decision on the fate of the territory will be made after mine-clearing operations, radiological and environmental monitoring is completed.
Gabala radar station had been exploited by Russia since Azerbaijan gained independence.
The agreement on “The status, principles and terms of Gabala RLS between the Azerbaijani Government and Russian Government” was signed in 2002. Russia suspended the station’s exploitation on December 10, 2012. Gabala RLS, established in 1984 as a missile defense system of the USSR, possesses the ability to take launch of ballistic missiles over the Indian Ocean – 6000 km radius under its control. Azerbaijan received USD 7m tenancy payment from Russia for the exploitation of this station.
Apa.az
