China to Send 1,600 Troops, about 30 Aircraft to Russia’s Strategic Military Drills

"Under the consensus reached between China and Russia, the Chinese Armed Forces will take part in the Tsentr-2019 drills that will run in the Orenburg Region in Russia on September 16-21," he said.

"The integrated grouping will be created using the forces of the Chinese Army’s Western Theater Command. It will comprise about 1,600 troops, 300 weapon systems and about 30 aircraft and helicopters," the spokesman said.

The military exercise will consist of two parts. The first stage will focus on planning joint counter-terror operations while the second phase will practice commanding multi-national forces in joint offensive operations against international terrorists’ combat groups, he stressed.

"The drills are not aimed against third countries and are unrelated to the situation in the region," the spokesman for the Chiese Defense Ministry said, Tass reported.

Almost 130,000 troops, over 20,000 weapon systems and about 600 aircraft from seven countries will take part in the Tsentr-2019 strategic command and staff drills, the press office of Russia’s Defense Ministry said on August 20.

"Overall, the strategic command and staff drills will involve about 128,000 personnel, more than 20,000 data-x-items of armament and military hardware, about 600 aircraft and up to 15 warships and support vessels," the press office said in a statement.

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