MOSCOW. April 3 (Interfax-AVN) - The military exercises that started at the Kapustin Yar and Ashuluk training grounds in Russia's Astrakhan region will address interception of aircraft hijacked by terrorist to commit acts of terror.
"During the second phase of the exercise we will practice to prevent violations of Russian airspace and help hostages taken by aircraft hijackers," Andrei Bobrun, assistant commander of the North Caucasus Military District, told Interfax-AVN by phone.
Fighter jets and air defense systems are assigned interception and forceful landing or destruction of aircraft, which are used by to commit acts of terror. To refine the SOPs live fires against low-flying maneuvering targets in air will be performed. The aviation and air defense will operate in support of the ground forces, Bobrun said.
The second phase will also see air-dropping of an air assault regiment for sweeps in the area where militant camps are simulated.
"A total of about 8,000 servicemen will be involved," he said.
He noted that during the first phase of the maneuvers the forces will perform long-haul marches, and fortify positions. Measures will also be taken to increase readiness of aviation and air defense assets to control airspace and intercept aircraft hijacked by terrorists in the South West of Russia.
The exercise is supervised by Army General Alexander Baranov, the North Caucasus Military District commander, and will see the participation of military leadership of land forces, Air Force and Air Defense Force, and Interior Ministry Force units tailored for terror threat prevention in Southwestern Russia. The command and control authorities of the forces will interact with local executives to refine operations in case of possible terror attacks.