Russia and China will conduct massive joint war games next week in a display of growing strategic ties between the two neighbours.
The “Peace Mission-2009” exercises, to be held from July 22 to 26, will involve about 3,000 troops from both sides, about 300 pieces of artillery and other hardware and more than 40 aircraft, said Russian Group Forces Deputy commander Alexander studenikin.
However, Russia decided against committing its strategic nuclear-capable bombers that took part in the first Russian- China in 2005.
It will be the first joint exercises to be staged on both sides of the common border. Following “strategic talks” between the Chiefs of Russian and Chinese General Staffs in Russia’s Khabarovsk on July 22, army and airborne troops from the two countries will conduct theatre –level manoeuvres in the Shenyang Military Area Command in north-east China.
Under the legend of the joint exercises, Russian and Chinese troops will engage a large terrorist outfit that has seized a Chinese town. The scenario was approved way back in February, but the recent Uighur riots in the Xinjiang province have lent eerie relevance to the war games.
Russia’s Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said in April the Russian and Chinese military would stage 25 joint drills this year.
In September, the two nations will take part in military manoeuvres of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Kazakhstan.
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