"Personnel from the Southern Military District mechanized infantry brigade have arrived at a field camp base in the Cherat range to take part in the first large-scale Russian-Pakistani Druzhba-2016 exercise…The exercise will take place between September 24 and October 10, 2016, at the Cherat training range," the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.
The drill will involve experience sharing and will aim to develop coordination in carrying out practice combat tasks in a mountainous environment, including operations against illegal armed groups.
Earlier in September, India, which has tense relations with Pakistan due to territorial disputes, expressed concern over the exercises. The Russian Foreign Ministry later reassured India that the exercises will not take place on disputed territories and stated that India had been fully informed on the details of the exercise.
Russia is holding a number of international joint military exercises this year. These involve Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, India, Mongolia and Vietnam. The drills with Pakistan are set to become one of seven international exercises planned for 2016, according to Russian Commander-in-Chief of the Land Forces Oleg Salyukov.
