Russia's Caspian flotilla holds Caucasus-2016 exercises
By Rashid Shirinov
A strategic command staff exercises named Caucasus-2016 with 12,500 troops taking part was launched in the Southern Military District, TASS reported with reference to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The Caucasus-2016 exercise is the final phase of a package of command staff and special practices and drills for military command bodies and snap checks of troops’ combat readiness due in 2016.
The exercises will be held at test sites of the Southern Military District, the Black and Caspian sees on September 5-10, the Defense Ministry reported.
One of the special tasks of the exercises will be to test new types of weapons and other military equipment and command systems.
There are plans for organizing the operation of command posts of all levels with the use of the newest automation means, practice mobilization readiness and territorial defense measures and widely employ aviation and the forces of the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian flotilla.
In 2015 the Russian Armed Forces held a strategic exercise called Center-2015, with about 95,00 troops, 170 aircraft and 20 ships taking part.
Russia has the world’s second most powerful military, according to the annual ranking made by Global Firepower, an analytical website exploring the military power of different countries. Having an active personnel of more than 3 million people, the Russian Armed Forces possess over 15,000 tanks, 3,500 aircraft, and more than 1,200 helicopters.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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