Russia and six ex-Soviet states will jointly set up a special force which can reportedly rival the NATO in terms of military power.

On Wednesday, an accord was signed between the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) members -- Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan -- to establish a rapid reaction unit.

The special forces of all signatories will be at the disposal of the new unit which is meant to suppress military, terrorist and extremist aggression.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the initiative would allow "operational reaction to threats", adding that the new unit would not be less powerful than NATO forces, AFP reported.

The rapid reaction force "is aimed at strengthening the military capacity of our organization," said Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian whose country currently chairs the CSTO.

Analysts believe the body was initially formed to counter the increasing influence of the western alliance and its possible expansion toward Russian borders.

HN/HGH/AA