(RIA Novosti) - The integrated air defense network of a group of former Soviet republics will conduct large-scale training exercises with live munitions, a senior air force officer said Monday.
Deputy Commander of the Russian Air Force, Lieutenant General Aitech Bizhev, said air force and air defense units from member nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States will participate in a joint exercise at the Kapustin Yar training grounds in southern Russia in October 2006, reports Trend.
"An advanced Pantsyr air defense system will be unveiled during the exercise," the general said. "It will fire live munitions at various targets."
Pantsyr-S1 is a short-range, mobile air defense system, combining two 30mm anti-aircraft guns and six 57E6-E surface-to-air missiles.
The integrated air defense network was set up by 10 CIS-member countries on February 10, 1995. Georgia recently pulled out of the CIS Defense Ministers Council, but is still formally part of the air defense system.
Bizhev said Russia has assumed 80% of the maintenance cost of the integrated air defense network.