Russia’s Duma ratified on Friday the protocol extending Russia’s use of a military base in the Armenian city of Gyumri, RBK reports.

The protocol was ratified in the Armenian Parliament on April 12 by 80 to one with one abstention.  

In presenting the document to Parliament earlier, Armenian Deputy Minister of Defense Ara Nazaryan stated that Russia is to contribute to Armenia’s national security, which specifies the legal norm saying that Russia defends the borders of Soviet Armenia. Under the document, Russia is to supply modern military equipment to Armenia. The document highlights the prolongation of the Russian military base’s presence in Armenia from 25 up to 49 years.

Last August, Russia and Armenia signed an agreement prolonging the presence of the Russian military base stationed in Gyumri, Armenia, until 2044.

Russian military base #102 stationed in Gyumri is operating as part of the CIS integrated air defense system.