Egyptian-Russian drills kick off Thursday

CAIRO – 14 September 2017: Under the name “Defenders of Friendship,” The joint Egyptian-Russian paratroops kicked off on Thursday in mountainous area in the Krasnodar region, Russia, with around 600 soldiers from both countries reportedly involved in the action.

The training comes within the framework of the joint exercise plan and military cooperation relations between the armed forces of both countries in many fields, in addition to the keenness of the two countries to upgrade military capabilities in the face of terrorism, and to protect and control potential terrorist targets.

Egyptian parachute units and the Russian air landing forces are put through paces on the first days of the military drills. It also introduces the participant warriors to the technical and tactical characteristics of weapons, equipment, and the command-and- control mechanisms necessary to further consolidate their field skills and tactics.

The last tactical training, "Defenders of Friendship 2016," was held in Egypt in October.

State-owned Russian news agency TASS reported in early September that Russia will train Egyptian pilots to fly Mistral amphibious assault ship helicopters.