Egyptian and Russian paratroopers concluded ‘Defenders of Friendship 2’

CAIRO – 23 September 2017: Egyptian paratroopers and the Russian air forces concluded the joint training “Defenders of Friendship 2" on Friday, which lasted for days in Novorossiysk, Russia.

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

More than 600 fighters from both sides participated in the training, which included the use of 100 medium and heavy pieces of equipment. The training included the implementation of various non-standard training activities for the special units during day and night under various circumstances.

The training also included fighting management within an airport controlled by armed groups, where the combat groups from both sides carried out airdrops and progressed to eliminate the armed groups and seize and secure the airport.

The participating elements carried out a live-fire exercise through forests and water barriers to break into a mountainous strait controlled by armed terrorist groups. They also carried out airborne operations of combat groups from helicopters to seize and secure the strait.

Brigadier General Abdul Wahab, commander of the Egyptian forces, delivered a speech thanking the organizers of the planning and management of the training, stressing the importance of joint training to maximize mutual experiences in light of the distinguished military relations between the armed forces of both countries.

Major General Viktor Kubcichin, deputy commander of the Russian air forces, expressed his pride in the success of the Egyptian-Russian joint training. He praised the distinguished level of the Egyptian forces during the training and wished success to all the elements involved in implementation of all assigned tasks.

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