Sergey Shoigu, the Defense Minister of Russia said the government intensified its military exercises by 15%. The country’s armed forces already conducted 2,000 drills during the first nine months of the year. They are expected to perform a total of 4,000 military exercises this year, up from 3,500 in 2014.
Russia’s armed forces conducted the military exercises in unfamiliar terrains and during the night. “The combat training intensity has considerably increased this year. A total of about 2,000 tactical exercises, five surprise combat readiness inspections, and one strategic command post exercise have been held,” said Shoigu as quoted by TASS news site.
Shoigu added that Russia completed the largest military maneuvers in the Central Military District on August 18 to September 20, which included different types of support, a snap combat readiness check and the Center-2015 strategic command and post exercise s (CPX). The military exercises covered more than 12 million square kilometers.
Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated CPX proved that country’s defense enterprises have a great potential.
During a meeting with the Military-Industrial Commission, Putin said, “The drills have showcased high tactical and technical characteristics of the most advanced systems of armament and proved again that enterprises of the Russian defense industry have a considerable potential.”
Russia conducted several military exercises overseas
Russia has been actively engaged in military exercises across its territory and overseas. All of the seven branches of the Russian armed forces conducted military drills from Kaliningrad in the west to the Kuril Islands in the East. They also conducted training from the Arctic to the southern borders of the country.
The strategic command post exercises were the biggest as it involve more than 155,000 Russian troops annually center while the center maneuvers involve 95,000 troops.
The Russian armed forces also performed international military exercises along with the troops of different countries including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, India, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan.
Russian conducted its international military exercises under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
In August, China and Russia completed the second phase of the Joint Sea 2015, which is considered the largest naval drill between the navies of the countries. The naval drill, which included more than 20 warships, took place in the Peter the Great Gulf, waters off the Cape Clerk, and off the coast of Primorsky Krai in the Sea of Japan.
Russia to conduct naval drills in the East Mediterranean
Shoigu recently announced that Russia is scheduled to conduct naval drills in the East Mediterranean during the latter part of this month until early October.
The Russian government made its decision to carryout more than 40 combat exercises in the region amid its military buildup in Syria. The Russian naval forces are expected to train against aircraft, submarine, and naval attacks as well as rescue operations.
The Russian Defense Ministry explained that the naval exercises in the eastern section of Mediterranean Sea had been scheduled since late last year. Many are concerned that the drills could escalate the tension between Moscow and NATO.
