Russia is currently holding large-scale Ground Forces' exercises, dubbed Center-2008, involving 12,000 troops, over 1,000 armored vehicles, large numbers of other military vehicles and units of the 5th Air and Air Defense Army on the territory of the Volga-Urals military district. The exercises started on September 1 and will run through September 27.
"The air component of the exercise will involve over 60 aircraft, including Il-76MD Candid-B transport planes, Su-24 Fencer attack aircraft, Su-27 Flanker fighters, MiG-31 Foxhound interceptors, Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters, Mi-8 Hip multi-role helicopters and special-purpose aircraft," Lt. Col. Vladimir Brik said.
Various air defense and electronic warfare units will also take part in the exercise, whose main purpose is to practice the interoperability of the Air Force and the Ground Forces in local conflicts and anti-terrorism operations.
