"We must solidify our positions here, as this is of key strategic importance. The presence of Russian troops here is crucial," Anatoly Serdyukov said after visiting the base.
In light of the proposed deployment of a U.S. missile shield in Central Europe and the continued expansion of NATO, Moscow has become increasingly concerned over NATO's military presence close to its borders in Central Asia, a region historically within Russia's sphere of influence.
The Russian base in Kant, about 20 miles west of the Kyrgyz capital, created in October 2003, currently deploys about 400 troops, including 250 officers and NCOs and 150 conscripts, as well as 20 combat and transport planes and helicopters, and L-39 trainers.
The defense minister said a priority task was to enlarge the landing strip at the base to allow landings of heavy transport planes.
The Russian Defense Ministry earlier said it planned to increase the number of servicemen and combat airplanes at the Kant base over the next two years.
