On April 25, 2025, during a rehearsal for the upcoming Victory Day parade in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan officially unveiled newly acquired Russian-made air defense systems, marking a major leap forward in the modernization of its military forces. A video circulated on Telegram revealed the presence of the long-range S-300PS and short-range Tor-M2KM surface-to-air missile systems, both supplied by Russia. In addition, Kyrgyzstan also displayed modernized S-125-2BM Pechora systems obtained from Belarus, underscoring a broader regional trend of reinforcing air defense capabilities among post-Soviet states.
The deployment of these Russian air defense systems is a significant milestone in Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to revamp its aging air defense infrastructure, which had largely depended on outdated Soviet-era equipment. This move is closely tied to the 2023 defense agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Russia, which envisioned the creation of a joint regional air defense system under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). This strategic framework aims to enhance the integrated airspace security architecture of Central Asia, a region increasingly recognized for its geopolitical importance amid growing international competition.
The newly integrated systems vastly improve Kyrgyzstan’s defense posture. The S-300PS (NATO reporting name: SA-10B Grumble), first developed by the Soviet Union in the late 1970s, is capable of engaging multiple aerial threats including aircraft, cruise missiles, and certain types of ballistic missiles. Its 5V55R missiles can neutralize targets at ranges up to 75 kilometers and altitudes reaching 30,000 meters. Mounted on MAZ-7910 8×8 vehicles, the system’s mobility ensures a flexible and rapid deployment capability. Complementing this, the Tor-M2KM system — a highly modular and mobile short-range air defense solution developed by Almaz-Antey — provides an effective shield against drones, low-flying aircraft, and precision-guided munitions. With an engagement range of up to 15 kilometers and the ability to track and prioritize up to 20 critical aerial threats simultaneously, the Tor-M2KM significantly enhances the multi-layered defensive umbrella now available to Kyrgyzstan.