Some 800 Weaponry Pieces, Including Foreign, to Take Part in Army Games-2017

Over 800 pieces of weaponry and military equipment, including 200 foreign ones, will be deployed at the International Army Games-2017, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The opening ceremony of the games will take place on July 29 in the Patriot Park in Kubinka, and the closing ceremony will be held on August 12 at the Alabino training range.

"In total, over 800 weapons and units of military equipment, including 200 foreign-produced units, will be deployed for the games," Shoigu said during a meeting of the Defense Ministry Board.

"Nine countries of Asia and Africa will participate in the games for the first time. The number of participating countries has increased by more than 30 percent. Some 159 teams will take part in the 28 contests," the minister said.

International Army Games have been held at the initiative of Shoigu since 2015. The second games were held on the territories of Russian and Kazakhstan from July 30 to August 13, 2016. Over 3,500 service members from 19 countries of Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa took part.

The competition program of Army Games-2017 includes 28 contests featuring Masters of Artillery Fire, Masters of Armored Vehicles, Army Scout Masters and Military Medical Relay Race.