Kant Air Base, Russian overseas air force base
Kant Air Base is a military airfield in Kant, Kyrgyzstan, located roughly 20 kilometers east of the capital Bishkek. The facility features a long concrete runway, hangars, control tower, and operational buildings designed to support continuous 24-hour flight operations for various aircraft types.
The base was established in 1941 as a Soviet pilot training school and trained approximately 1,500 pilots during World War II. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Kyrgyzstan assumed control until Russia signed an agreement in 2003, leading to a lease arrangement in 2012.
The facility sits at an elevation of roughly 760 meters, resulting in thinner air, and is surrounded by open land that separates it from nearby settlements. The site is most accessible from central Bishkek and remains an active military installation with restricted access.
The base was the first new Russian military installation abroad since the Cold War ended and served as a training center for pilots from Egypt, Syria, India, and other nations. This international role made it a notable hub for military cooperation in Central Asia.
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