Fifth Generation

The members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation are now participating in joint military exercises.

“Around 6.5 thousand military personnel and 80 aircraft will be involved in the “Peace Mission 2007” counterterrorism exercise of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states, - the first deputy commander of the Russian land forces, lieutenant-general Vladimir Moltenskoy told a news conference on 03 July 2007.
He specified that Russia would deploy 2 thousand personnel and 36 aircraft. Another 2.7 thousand will be in charge of logistics. China will be represented by 1.7 thousand personnel and 46 aircraft. Tajikistan and Kazakhstan will send air assault companies, Kyrgyzstan – an air assault platoon, officers from Uzbekistan will take control of the whole exercise.
According to Moltenskoy, the SCO observer states (Iran, India, Mongolia and Pakistan) will not take part in the drills. The general reminded that the exercise was due to take place from 09 till 17 August at the Chebarkulsk training ground in the zone of responsibility of the Privolzhsko-Uralskiy military district. The maneuvers will be conducted in three stages. The first stage provides holding military-political consultations at the level of chiefs of general staffs in the Chinese city Urumqi, while the second stage consists of preparations and the third is the drills proper.
Moltenskoy stressed that “Peace Mission 2007” was not targeted against a third state.”