Editor's note: Sukhee Gombo is a professor at the Military University of Mongolia. He obtained his PhD from the Military Academy of Saint-Petersburg, Russia. He has played an important role in Mongolia's international relations, diplomacy, security, and education. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
Any strategic military exercise aims to optimize a country's readiness to repel foreign aggression from any potential opponent. Russia's "Vostok-2018" is one to train its army and the state to combat a full-scale aggression from any possible opponent.
"Vostok -2018" maneuvers are the largest event of the Russian Armed Forces' combat training.
China and Mongolia are set to take part in Russia's upcoming "Vostok-2018" military drills which will act on a common plan together with Russian servicemen to work out and create a strategic goal, and carry out tasks reflecting collaboration against military threats.
Moscow and Beijing's cooperation in the military sphere will give impetus to increase the effectiveness of work on the security problems of the world as a whole.
This is especially true of the fight against terrorism at regional and global levels.
A paratrooper jumps with a parachute at the opening ceremony of the 2015 International Army Games at Alabino testing range in Moscow region on August 1, 2015. /VCG Photo
Russia and China are facing a more complex international security environment and closer mutual cooperation has been widely considered a necessity.
A major feature of the defense and geostrategic interests of Russia and China has been the rising levels of official support for each other's security, increasingly pitched as common defense concerns.
Russia and China have always been in cordial relations. The main purpose of the participation of Chinese troops at the "Vostok-2018" is to develop Russian-Chinese relations of all-round strategic partnership and interaction. The cooperation between Russia and China is moving to a new stage of deepening cooperation between the armed forces of the two superpowers.
The main task will be to develop a joint action plan to account for the difference, the specifics of arming, and training and tactics of army units in different countries. Such work is extremely complex and requires the consideration of many factors, but it is necessary in the current geopolitical situation to keep the peace and stability around the world.
The "Vostok-2018" has attracted the troops of the Eastern and Central Military Districts, the Northern Fleet and the Airborne Forces, as well as part of the long-range, military transport and operational-tactical aviation of the Aerospace Forces.
In total, the maneuvers will consist of 300,000 servicemen, more than 1,000 aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, up to 36,000 tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers and other vehicles, and up to 80 ships and support vessels. It is a technique of Ground forces, VKS (Aerospace Forces) and Navy.
The active phase of "Vostok-2018" will be held from September 11 to 17 in two stages. The main part will be deployed at five combined-arms training grounds, four air and air defense training grounds, in the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea, Avacha and Kronotsky Gulfs.
The maneuvers will take place in almost all the Central and Eastern ranges of military districts, with participation of maritime links of the northern and Pacific fleets. Troops and military equipment will carry out actions close to the field conditions.
The most dynamic parts of the exercise are planned to be played at the Tsugol training ground, where the three associations of the Eastern Military District, together with the elite force of the People's Liberation Army of China and the Mongolian Armed Forces subdivisions will confront the two armies of the Central Military District.
During the exercises, it is needed to build joint efforts to account for the difference in weapons and military technology, the specifics of command and features combat tactics.
The great powers of Russia and China are creating a modern military battle engagement in "Vostok 2018" exercises to send a powerful signal around the world.
Chinese army's echelons with servicemen and military equipment participating in Vostok-2018 military exercises arrive at Zabaikalsk unloading station on August 26, 2018. /VCG Photo
The first feature of "Vostok-2018" is the unprecedented scale of the exercise. The second feature is the space on which these maneuvers will be extended, because the military will participate in the Central and Eastern military districts of Russia.
In addition, all forces will be involved: aerospace, airborne forces, transport and long-range Air Force. The main features of the maneuvers are the bilateral format of their conducts.
The exercise is intended to show off the two countries' sophisticated approach to modern warfare with the ability to conduct surgical style, precision attacks.
The Russian army's main advantage is the mobility of the powerful armed forces with modern technology.
The Chinese armed forces will have the unique chance to learn from Russia's powerful modernized forces and how Russia is dealing with asymmetric warfare challenges with sophisticated combat tactics and strategy experiences based high-speed mobility of the Russian armed forces.
The interesting thing is that the United States and NATO will not be able to answer with anything comparable to the "Vostok-2018" exercises.
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