Russia has launched its fourth annual International Army Games, which will pit its troops against China, India, Iran and from 28 other countries in a spectator sports version of warfare on land, sea and in the air.
The International Army Games, initiated by the Russian Ministry of Defense, is co-organized by China, Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Iran this year.
Iran is hosting one of the IAG contests, deep diving, for the very first time.
The competition, which Russia has gradually expanded, will go on for two weeks and include heavy-duty events such as the marquee tank biathlon and fighter jet maneuvering contest Aviadarts, but also smaller scale competitions such as a service dog race or a field kitchen cook-off.
A total of 17 teams with 358 soldiers from 10 countries, including China, Belarus, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Russia, Venezuela and Zimbabwe, are participating the event that will conclude on Aug. 11, Some other countries including Armenia and India have sent observers to the events.
Three of the contests, "Suvorov Attack," "Clear Sky" and "Safe Route", take place in Korla in Xinjiang, Xinhua reported.
It is the first time for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Force to host the "Safe Route" contest, which contains several stages such as traversing minefields and assembling mechanized bridges and involves forces from China, Pakistan, Russia and Uzbekistan.
Teams of marine corps from China, Iran, Russia and Venezuela will compete in Quanzhou, Fujian for the "Seaborne Assault" contest, hosted by the PLA Navy for the first time. China has taken part in the games for five years, and started to host some of contests last year.
LR/PR
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