Russia Holds Unprecedented Joint Military Exercises with Pakistan in the Caucasus
The mountainous regions of Karachay-Cherkessia became a mock theater of military action, hosting a stage of Russia-Pakistan joint exercises Friendship 2017. Andrey Chistyakov is reporting about the maneuvers.
An ambush on a mountain road, and the mock enemy is destroyed by the sharp fire of the army intelligence unit. It's for the first time that a Karachay-Cherkessia's gorge has become an international theater of operations.
The group of the Pakistan Special Operations Center, wearing bright camouflage, thick black beards and the same uniform caps, are trying out our mountains. 50 foreign fighters are taking part in the international exercises Friendship 2017.
Pakistani Lieutenant General: "We have been fighting terrorists for the past 13-14 years, so we have good experience. But the interaction is very important, very useful".
The military's friendship began last year. First, Russian mountaineers landed in Pakistan. Now, as the hosts, they are storming rocky slopes and crossing mountain rivers together with the foreigners.
Each stage of these exercises was worked out in the Russian motorized rifles' uniform, "Ratnik" suits. I'm wearing only its part: a helmet and a multi-functional waistcoat. And the Pakistani military tried it on for the first time. It is very convenient and simple to work in it, it's easy to wear.
During the Caucasian training, the Pakistani military appreciated our weapons. It's raining lavishly all day long in the mountains, but not single misfire has occurred in training battles.
Pakistani soldier: "It's a very good and light weapon, it's just perfect".
It's for the first time that the Pakistani military had to solve tactical tasks with a pack unit. A unique unit of the southern military region covered the reconnaissance groups.
Surprisingly, Friendship 2017 has developed a universal language of communication. Soldiers and officers of two countries were on the same wave. "We can use gestures, the military always understand each other everywhere".
The North Caucasus appeared cool for the guests. The capricious weather seemed to test the southerners. But the foreigners liked living in our simple field camp. Russian soldiers can create comfort even on stones, the Pakistan Special Operations Center fighters told us.
This international military camp is to remain in the mountains for a few more days. Then come the summing-up and preparation for the next exercises, which are scheduled for the next year in Pakistan, our military being invited.
Andrey Chistyakov, Evgeny Radayev for Vesti from Karachay-Cherkessia.