Azerbaijan to Hike Radar Station Rent

Azerbaijan may increase the rent for using the Gabala radar station, which is currently being leased by Russia, some 40 times, from $7 million to $300 million a year, Kommersant newspaper reported. “This sum is in no way justified and is extremely high and we will seek a considerable reduction. We still hope that we will reach an agreement," a Russian defence ministry source said. Another defence source added that if Azerbaijan persists, Russia will have to leave the station. The Gabala radar station, located in north-west Azerbaijan, was built during the Soviet period as one of the most important elements of the USSR's missile defence system. After Azerbaijan gained independence, the radar station become the country's property and Russia continued to use it.

http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1882955http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1882955
http://en.trend.az/regions/scaucasus/azerbaijan/1997956.html