Some Contests in Int’l Army Games 2016 to Be Held in Kazakhstan

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said that the next International Army Games, where are organized by the Russian Defense Ministry, would include 10 new competitions, including those for snipers and divers.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Several competitions of the 2016 International Army Games could be held outside Russia, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said Friday.

"We are planning to use 19 training areas, as well as water areas in the Black and Caspian seas. In cooperation with the Kazakh Armed Forces [we] have proceeded to prepare the Masters of Artillery Fire and Sniper Line, which will be held in that state," Antonov told reporters.

He added that the next International Army Games, where are organized by the Russian Defense Ministry, would include 10 new competitions, including those for snipers and divers.

According to Antonov, formal invitations to participate in the upcoming games have been sent to the defense ministries of 46 states.

The 2016 International Military Games are expected to be run from July 30 until August 13.

The first International Army Games competition, was held in August 2015, and attracted more than 2,000 participants from 17 countries. Some 11 different locations across Russia hosted elements of the contest.