The Russian..........Game. They flew SU24M and SU34 to the
pacific front........
MOSCOW (PTI): In one of the biggest show
of military might since the collapse of USSR, Russia mobilised
20,000 troops and state-of-the-art weapons in a drill, with
President Dmitry Medvedev asserting that his country is a “great”
naval power capable of defending its interests.
Medvedev watched on Sunday the impressive drills of the Russian
Navy as part of the strategic Vostok-2010 (Orient-2010) wargames
from the nuclear-powered Pyotr Veliky cruiser sailing in the sea of
Okhotsk.
“Russia was and remains a great naval power capable of
accomplishing tasks in the problem regions and is ready to defend
its interests,” Medvedev said praising the servicemen for
“displaying high professionalism.”
Over 20,000 men and 70 combat aircraft, 1,000 military hardware and
30 warships, including battleships of Black, Baltic, Pacific and
Northern fleets, are taking part in Vostok-2010, the biggest ever
wargames in the Far East on the 'Chinese front' since the Soviet
collapse in 1991.
As the supreme commander of the armed forces, Medvedev sailed in to
the Sea of Okhotsk on board the 'Pyotr Veliky' (Peter- the- Great)
cruiser, famous as 'killer of aircraft carriers', the Russian media
reported.
The president watched how two Kamov Ka-27 helicopters dropped into
sea sonar buoys in the operation to search and destroy “enemy”
submarines.
The wargames began on June 29 and are to conclude on July 8 and
involve the Russian military might stationed in the Eurasian part
of the country from Ural Mountains, Siberia and Far Eastern
military areas.
The first phase of the military drill concluded on Saturday.
In the course of the wargames, Russia for the first time deployed
its frontline Sukhoi Su-24M and Su-34 combat aircraft from the
central parts to the far eastern parts 8,000 kms away.
“For the first time ever, we have tested in practice the capability
for fighter jets to fly from aerodromes in the European part of
Russia to eastern airfields in the Far Eastern district without
landing, with in-flight refuelling and the delivery of strikes
according to assignments received during the flight,” Chief of
General Staff, Army General Nikolai Makarov said.
During the six hour non-stop flight, the fighter aircraft crew
could accumulate experience in mid-air refuelling and going into
action thousands of kilometres away from home base, Defence
Ministry's Zvezda (Star) TV channel reported.
One of the novelties of the present wargames was airlifting of
mechanised infantry from Urals area, without their heavy weapons,
which were provided to them on arrival in the 'battle zone' from
the reserve depots close to the borders with China.
“It took only six hours to airlift the mechanised infantry regiment
several thousand kilometres away, with only light arms.
The loading of their heavy equipment and transporting would have
taken up to 48 hours, which is impermissible in case of urgency,”
Zvezda TV said.
It also showed air defence drills by S-300 missiles and closer
range Buk-M air defence system as well as building of bridges by
highly mobile Railway Troops over Siberian rivers.
Although ahead of the wargames Chief of Russian General Staff, Army
General Nikolai Makarov had underscored that the drill is not
directed against any country, but experts view them as Moscow's
biggest ever exercise to cope with military challenge from
China.
“This exercise is not directed against any specific country or
military-political bloc. It has a purely defensive nature in
ensuring our state's security and national interests in the Far
East,” the Army General had said.
According to him the Armed Forces will practice the deployment of
additional troops in Siberia and the Far East to reinforce the
existing military contingent in the region in case of a military
conflict.
Incidentally, the Chinese military observers were not invited to
all the stages and events of the wargames including naval
drills.
“They have arrived in Siberia on Saturday and will be present only
during land drills in Siberia,” RIA Novosti reported quoting
Defence Ministry.
The Chinese delegation will attend a key phase of the Vostok-2010
drills at the Tsugol training grounds, and will be presented with a
general overview of the Vostok-2010 exercises and observe a river
crossing practice performed by Russian troops, the report
said.