In the framework of the international Treaty on Open skies, the Russian Federation is to perform an observation flight on the Russian AN-30B surveillance aircraft over the France territory.

The observation flight over France will be carried out from 18 to 22 March 2019 from the Orleans Bricy Open Skies airfield. The maximum flight range will amount to 2,078 km.

The Russian observation aircraft will fly along the agreed route, and the France representatives on board will monitor the use of special equipment and compliance with the provisions of the Treaty on Open Skies.

Observation flights within the framework of the treaty are carried out in order to promote greater openness and transparency in the military activities of the participating States, as well as to enhance security through strengthening confidence-building measures.

This is the sixth observation flight made by the Russian Federation over the territories of the states-members of the treaty in 2019.