MOSCOW. Jan 5 (Interfax-AVN) - Several Russian regions will host a series of army- and corps-level exercises in 2004, Army General Nikolai Kormiltsev, Land Forces commander-in-chief and deputy defense minister, told Interfax-Military News Agency.
"A few army- and corps-level exercises will be held in several military districts in 2004 to practice accomplishment of combat missions involving such military contingents as regiment, brigade and division," the commander-in-chief said.
He stressed that the 2003 combat training plan was implemented by 100 percent.
"A few exercises in 2004 will be preceded by regrouping of large units towards the directions that require reinforcements," Kormiltsev said.
A large amount of military hardware in the Land Forces inventory was upgraded in 2003, he went on.
"I am primarily speaking about the missile forces and artillery, communication and control assets," he said.
"I would like to stressed that exercises of military districts and composite exercises also involving units of the Interior Ministry, Emergencies Ministry and other law-enforcement agencies scheduled for 2004 will be held on a higher quality level. This year's upgrade of armaments and military hardware has increased considerably the combat power of units and formations, as well as their general technological readiness for accomplishing present-day war missions," Kormiltsev concluded.