Mongolian Defence Minister Badmaanyambuugiin Bat-Erdene held a meeting on Tuesday with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu and asked Russia to provide assistance in armingthe Mongolian air defense forces.

"I informed the minister (S.Shoigu) that Mongolia had developed a concept of military policy and a number of defence laws had been adopted. Specific tasks for the Mongolian Armed Forces have been determined. That is why we have asked for Russian support in re-arming and strengthening our armed forces, in particular, the newly created air defence forces," Minister Bat-Erdene said after the meeting.

According to Mr Bat-Erdene, Russia provides considerable support for the training of Mongolian troops.

"About 350 Mongolian service personnel study in over 20 Russian higher military educational institutions… We are very grateful to the Russian government for the fact that the training of military personnel is carried out on a preferential or unpaid basis," the minister specified.

Minister Shoigu, for his part, expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the Mongolian Defence Ministry for regular participation in the Moscow Conference on International Security. (Tass)