Russian Aerospace Forces' aircraft to redeploy to Belarus for exercise on Aug 23-25 - Belarusian Defense Ministry
MINSK. Aug 22 (Interfax) - The aircraft and helicopters of the Russian Aerospace Forces will redeploy to Belarusian military airfields for tactical air drills as part of preparations for the Zapad (West) 2017 joint Russian-Belarusian exercise, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
"The operative-tactical exercise with the aviation will be conducted as part of preparations for the Zapad-2017 joint strategic exercise of the armed forces of Belarus and Russia from August 23 to 25, 2017, to be led by the Air and Air Defense Forces commander, in accordance with the Air and Air Defense Forces training plan for 2016/2017 training year," the ministry said.
"The exercise will test the aspects of using the joint Belarusian-Russian regional air defense system for providing military security for the Union State, organization and practical preparation of the aircraft for deployment, execution of combat missions at Belarusian Armed Forces training ranges with landing on highway strip," the ministry said.
"Conducting this exercise will help the personnel raise their combat capabilities during preparation and control of aviation units, practice and improve the tactics and methods of using the aviation," the ministry said.
The Zapad-2017 exercise will be held on September 14-20 and is due to involve around 13,000 personnel. Zapad is a planned exercise and held every two years.