The open-ended deployment of the Russian Aerospace Force unit in Syria will not generate additional budget spending, Deputy Defense Minister Nikolay Pankov told the State Duma (lower house of parliament) members.

"The implementation of the agreement will not result in additional federal budget spending and will be based on the current budget allocations to the Defense Ministry," he said.

On Friday, the State Duma is reviewing the ratification of the Russian-Syrian agreement on the indefinite deployment of the Russian air base to Syria. The document was signed in Damascus on August 26, 2015, almost one year later, on August 9, 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted it to the State Duma.

The document stipulates that the Russian air force group will be deployed to the Hmeyimim airfield in the Latakia province on a pro bono basis. The group will be used by its commander’s decision according to plans agreed on with Syrian authorities.