MissileThreat.com

February 28, 2005 :: BBC Worldwide Monitoring :: News

Russian Channel One TV profiled the Russian radar station in Azerbaijan on 26 February. The radar station is described as being similar to that at Pechora, in Russia, and having the capability of seeing anything larger than a football in space. Text of the profile:

[Presenter] A unique radar station in Azerbaijan is collecting information for the Russian military. The station has been in operation for 20 years. It has no rival in the world. …

[Correspondent] The huge size of the radar station becomes obvious already on the approaches to Qabala, from several kilometres away from the station. It is not surprising that many legends about this radar-house, which is 127 m high and looks a bit like an Egyptian pyramid, have circulated among local people since the beginning of its construction in 1976. This was and still is the most noticeable and, at the same time, the most secret military installation in the area.

The station currently belongs to Azerbaijan. Russia is only renting it and Russian Space Troops officers are on combat alert duty here. …

The radar station in Qabala was officially put on combat alert duty 20 years ago, in 1985. Since then, the station has been monitoring its sector - the Indian Ocean, the whole Middle East, nearly all Africa, Pakistan, Iraq and Iran.

The Qabala station’s missile-detection range is 7,000 km - at this distance anything of the size of a football can be seen from space.

[Viktor Vertiy, commander of duty forces of the Qabala information and analytical centre] It was in 1987, in 1989, during the well-known events in the countries of the southern region, I mean the Iran-Iraq conflict, it was during this period that the station showed its purpose and indispensability, when over 150 medium-range ballistic missiles were discovered.

[Correspondent] Unit commander Col Starostin is the main figure here. Standing on the station’s roof, nearly 130 m above the ground, he laconically answered my question about the unique character of the station.

[Sergey Starostin, commander of the Qabala information and analytical centre] [It’s unique character lies] In its greatness.

[Correspondent] Then we go together from the 17th floor to the 9th, to the smoking room, and he adds that in effect all stations on our borders are unique. Here they are on the map. [Video shows a map of Russia] The Qabala station can withstand local heat and earthquakes. A similar station in Pechora, for instance, has been built on permafrost.

[Correspondent] You know, I have seen pictures [of the station] from space on the Internet. Aren’t you afraid that [information about] your station is practically in public domain?

[Starostin] No, I am not afraid.

[Correspondent] Why?

[Starostin] Because it is probably impossible to hide such an installation and there is no need to do so. The station’s purpose and task is to ensure peace and this is the main thing.

[Correspondent] All the radar stations which monitor ballistic missile launches have different fate. Independent Latvia has blown up a similar station - it was timed to coincide with 9 May [Victory Day in Russia]. During troublesome times a furniture factory was opened at one of the radar stations in Siberia. Fortunately, all missile-threat directions are now monitored and the Qabala station, or, as it is now known, information and analytical centre, is on combat duty alert round the clock, protecting Russia from the south.

 (Article)

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