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Chinese People's Liberation Army tanks
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MOSCOW, August 3 (RIA Novosti) – A Russian-Chinese joint
antiterrorism exercise in Russia’s Urals region enters its active phase
on Saturday, a spokesman for the Central Military District said.
The Peace Mission 2013 drills are being held at the Chebarkul
military training area in the Chelyabinsk region from July 27 until
August 15 and involve 1,500 personnel and over 250 pieces of military
hardware, including 20 aircraft and helicopters.
“After the opening ceremony, the participants will reconnoiter the
terrain and start the preparation for practical drills,” Col. Yaroslav
Roshchupkin said Friday.
China has sent over 600 personnel as well as tanks, armored personnel
carriers, light reconnaissance vehicles, 120-mm self-propelled
howitzers, 152-mm self-propelled guns, JH-7A fighter-bombers and
helicopters to take part in the exercise.
Moscow and Beijing earlier said these drills are designed to
strengthen ties in joint military training and improve coordination
between the two countries’ armed forces.
Russia and China have held several joint military exercises since
2005 under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Founded in 2001, the SCO comprises Russia, China, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It aims to consolidate efforts to
counter terrorism and radicalization among member countries, and to
coordinate work in other areas such as politics and trade.
Moscow and Beijing have recently vowed to strengthen military
cooperation to ensure an adequate and prompt response to common threats.
Source: RIA Novosti |