A Russian defense official said the ministry is submitting plans to turn its temporary naval base in Tartus, Syria, into a permanent one, according to reports.

“We are going to have a permanent Navy base in Tartus. We have prepared the paperwork, which is now being reviewed by other government agencies,” Gen. Nikolay Pankov, deputy defense minister, told Russia’s Senate, according to Russia Today. “The documents are pretty much ready, so we hope to submit them to you for ratification soon.”