“Center-2026”: Russia Holds Strategic Exercises with Military Contingents from Six Countries
World
Russia is conducting the “Center-2026” strategic command-and-staff exercises from September 28 to October 3. More than 47,000 military personnel, over 2,000 weapons and military equipment units, 90 aircraft and 77 ships and vessels are involved.
According to the Kremlin, military contingents from Belarus, China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan and Tajikistan are taking part. Kazakhstan and Congo are represented by operational groups. Representatives of 41 countries are involved in the exercises overall, with 33 participating as observers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Chebarkul training range in the Chelyabinsk Region on October 2. He said the main objective of “Center-2026” and the related “Interaction-2026” exercises is to improve troop-command capabilities in responding to an external threat. According to Putin, Russian forces are carrying out tasks at 11 training ranges and in the waters of the Caspian Sea.
The practical phase includes drills to repel aggression on the Central Asian strategic direction and ensure military security in the Caspian maritime zone. Tu-22M3 long-range bombers carried out a mass strike against critical facilities of a simulated adversary and also engaged a simulated enemy naval group in the Caspian Sea.
The exercises also feature modern weapons systems. Russia’s Zarya laser system destroyed unmanned aerial vehicles at ranges of up to 6 km. The exercises also saw the first use of the new ground-based missile system designated “Izdelie 347.” T-14 Armata and T-90M Proryv tanks practiced a “tank carousel” tactic under the protection of the Derivatsiya-PVO system.
The practical phase at the Chebarkul range forms part of the wider exercises. According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, more than 600 pieces of equipment were deployed at the site, including 55 aircraft and helicopters, 567 drones of various types and more than 50 robotic systems.
“Center-2026” is being conducted in accordance with Russia’s military training plan. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the exercises are planned and are not linked to developments or challenges along Russia’s borders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Chebarkul training range in the Chelyabinsk Region on October 2. He said the main objective of “Center-2026” and the related “Interaction-2026” exercises is to improve troop-command capabilities in responding to an external threat. According to Putin, Russian forces are carrying out tasks at 11 training ranges and in the waters of the Caspian Sea.
The practical phase includes drills to repel aggression on the Central Asian strategic direction and ensure military security in the Caspian maritime zone. Tu-22M3 long-range bombers carried out a mass strike against critical facilities of a simulated adversary and also engaged a simulated enemy naval group in the Caspian Sea.
The exercises also feature modern weapons systems. Russia’s Zarya laser system destroyed unmanned aerial vehicles at ranges of up to 6 km. The exercises also saw the first use of the new ground-based missile system designated “Izdelie 347.” T-14 Armata and T-90M Proryv tanks practiced a “tank carousel” tactic under the protection of the Derivatsiya-PVO system.
The practical phase at the Chebarkul range forms part of the wider exercises. According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, more than 600 pieces of equipment were deployed at the site, including 55 aircraft and helicopters, 567 drones of various types and more than 50 robotic systems.
“Center-2026” is being conducted in accordance with Russia’s military training plan. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the exercises are planned and are not linked to developments or challenges along Russia’s borders.
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