RUSSIAN TV LOOKS AHEAD AT JOINT CIS AIR DEFENCE EXERCISE

Channel One TV, Moscow
29 Aug 05

[Presenter] Over 2,000 Russian, Armenian, Belarusian and Tajik
servicemen are taking part in a large-scale military exercise of
the CIS combined air defence system, Combat Commonwealth-2005, in
Astrakhan Region. Yevgeniy Maslov reports.

[Correspondent] Fighters, bombers and anti-aircraft missile systems –
Combat Commonwealth-2005 is an exercise so complex and difficult that
it can be carried out only in several stages. The scene of action,
the Ashuluk range in Astrakhan Region, is difficult to compare to
anything. It is spread over 120 km – almost like a small region. Air
defence units from Armenia, Russia, Belarus and Tajikistan are to
operate in a single system.

[Aytech Bizhev, captioned as Russian Air Force deputy commander in
charge of CIS combined air defence system] This time the whole group
[of forces taking part in the exercise] will be operated from a
single command headquarters, which complies with the concept that
was formulated in theory and approved by all CIS member countries.

[Correspondent] Under the scenario of the exercise the air defence
units will disrupt an airlift of terrorists and eliminate their bases
in Armenia and on the Russian Caspian Sea coast. The targets are
to be hit by guided missiles. Cooperation and integrity of the CIS
combined air defence system will be assessed by the Russian defence
minister in person.

[Video shows anti-aircraft missiles, field-deployed radars, control
room and troops taking part in the exercise; c/r 0253 – 0412]