Army exercises with Russian Air Force participation started in Belarus

On October 15 joint complex operative exercise “Autumn-2008” started in Belarus.

Defence Minister Colonel-General Leanid Maltsau is in command of the complex operative exercise which topic is “Preparation and carrying out a defensive operation by Military Forces”.

According to the press-service of the Defence Ministry, the drills are planed to have two stages. During the first stage, when the defensive operation is to be prepared, October 15-16, planning documents of the operation are to be elaborated, issues of comprehensive combat support and military units support are to be practiced. It is planned to practice issues of struggle with landing forces of a hypothetical aggressor, BelaPAN informs.

The second stage of the exercises, the defensive operation, is to take place on October 17-21. Main focus will be made on drilling officials’ skills in commanding military units when countering airborne threats and land-based force groupings.

The aim of the complex operative exercise is to improve interaction of the Military Forces with other forces and military units of the country, as well as with internal military leadership agencies and Russian Air Forces units when preparing and carrying out a defensive operation.

The Autumn-2008 exercises will involve around 8,500 military men, military and special hardware, including over 40 aircraft, more than 60 tanks, around 250 armored vehicles and up to 40 artillery pieces.

About 2,000 persons liable for military service have been called in, about 50 vehicles have been delivered by the national economy.

In line with the procedures stipulated by Vienna document of 1999, Belarus has invited observers from all neighbouring states: Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Poland and Ukraine, as well as to representatives of military and diplomatic corps from other countries. It is expected that more than 40 representatives of foreign states are to take part in observation over the drills.