Russia's Vostok-2018, a test of China's new joint command system

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01:52

The landmark Vostok-2018 military drills started Tuesday with Russian and Chinese soldiers.

As part of daily training at the Tsugol Training Range, Chinese armed helicopters and bomber-fighters cooperated with tanks and armored vehicles to strike enemy targets.

However, in the past, the coordination of ground and air forces wasn't always so smooth for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

"In past drills, it always took a lot of time for land and air forces to coordinate, make plans and respond to emergencies," said Senior Colonel Wu Keli, Vice-Chief Of Staff of PLA 78th Army Corps.

The joint command headquarter of the Chinese army in Vostok-2018. /Photo by Yang Zaixin

Since a series of reforms, China's new joint command-and-control system is expected to make the army more fit for modern warfare.

Participating in Russia's Vostok-2018 is the PLA's first large-scale overseas drill after the PLA's series of command reform.

It's also the first time that the newly-established Joint Staff of the PLA Central Military Commission is leading an overseas drill in the field.

Chinese soliders coming out of the helicopter. /Photo by Yang Zaixin

Li Xincheng, a helicopter battalion commander, told CGTN that in previous drills when the armed helicopters fly over the tanks to attack enemies, tanks will usually stop and wait for safety reasons.

But in this drill, the bomber-fighters in high-altitude, helicopters in low altitude will throw bombs and fire missiles just like in a real battle while tanks on the ground will continue moving. “Without a good system of coordinating and joint command, it's very hard to do this,” Li added.

According to Senior Colonel Hao Yuntao, a brigade commander in the China Air Force, the new joint commanding system is much more flat and efficient. "It becomes much quicker for our combat troops to carry out orders."

Senior Colonel Wu from the army also said that under the new joint command system, the efficiency of the ground forces' coordination with air forces has been largely improved.

It is said that the final drill with full firepower at Vostok-2018 will take place on Thursday.