Iran will take part in 16 contests out of the 28 contests planned for the 2018 International Army Games. Eight of such contests will be hosted by Russia, with Iran’s Army team participating in four contests, Iran’s Police team taking part in three contests, and IRGC competing in one.
According to Vajihollah Jamshidi, head of the military teams of Iran’s Armed Forces participating in contests hosted by Russia, the aim of such competitions which started in 2011 at the inititiave of Russia’s Ministry of Defense, is first and foremost to promote “peace and friendship” among participating countries, and second, to exchange knowledge and experience and display each country’s defense capabilities.
Iran is hosting one of the IAG contests, Depth Competition, for the very first time.
Jamshidi added that Iran is taking part in Russia’s contests with eight teams, two teams in China, two teams in Kazakhstan, and one team each in Armenia, Belarus and Azerbaijan.
181 teams from 32 countries, nearly a third more than last year, will take part in the Games, from July 28 to August 11.
Pakistan, Algeria, Vietnam, Myanmar, Sudan and the Philippines will take part in this year’s Army Games for the first time.
Last year, Russia stood at first place among the participants of the International Army Games, while Kazakhstan ranked second and China was third. Belarus and Egypt were ranked fourth and fifth, while Uzbekistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan followed at sixth, seventh and eighth place, respectively.
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