Four years in Syria, Russia expands military base, eyes challenges ahead
After four years of fighting in Syria, Russia expands military facilities, but the nature of looming challenges is political.
In the run-up to the fourth anniversary of the launch of Russia’s military campaign in Syria, the Russian military announced Moscow is eyeing expansion and reconstruction of the Khmeimim air base in Syria's Latakia province. The initiative, at the initial stage, involves the rebuilding of the second runway to allow the facility to service more aircraft.
Lt. Col. Konstantin Dolgov, deputy commander of the mixed air regiment deployed in Khmeimim, pointed out that the facility is already capable of hosting missile carriers. Earlier, the strategic airplanes of Russian Aerospace Forces (Tu-95MS and Tu-160) launched their cruise missile attacks on the positions of the opposition groups and Islamic State terrorists from Mozdok and Olenya air bases in Russia, sometimes having to refuel in flight.
Moreover, the Russians constructed new aircraft hangars, able to shelter the Su-35 fighter jets and Su-34 bombers from occasional drone strikes. The spokesman for the Defense Ministry, Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, told journalists that in the last two years, about 120 rebels who tried to assault the air base have been killed by the air defense systems and electronic countermeasure devices.
Dolgov added that the shelter hangars are equipped with a centralized system of fuel and lubricant provisions. As a result, the timelines of preparation for consecutive flights decreased significantly.
