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CIS air defense conducts command-and-staff exercises

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The integrated air defense network of a group of former Soviet republics Tuesday started large-scale training exercises, a senior air force officer said.

MOSCOW, April 25 (RIA Novosti) - The integrated air defense network of a group of former Soviet republics Tuesday started large-scale training exercises, a senior air force officer said.

Chief of Staff of the Russian Air Force, Colonel General Boris Cheltsov said air force and air defense units from eight CIS-member states - Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan - were participating in the exercises.

"The exercises will focus on coordinating the joint efforts to intercept enemy aircraft that have violated national airspace," he said.

More than 80 aircraft, as well as a variety of air defense systems, will be involved.

He also said the Russian-made S-300 Almaz (SA-10 Grumble) would be the main air defense system tested during the exercises.

NATO reconnaissance aircraft are monitoring the exercises, the general said.

The integrated air defense network was set up by 10 member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States on February 10, 1995. Georgia recently pulled out of the CIS Defense Ministers Council, but is still formally part of the air-defense system.

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