Russia invites Asia-Pacific military specialists to observe defense drills

SINGAPORE, June 1. /TASS/. Russia is interested in inviting military specialists from the Asia-Pacific region as observers to drills held on a bilateral and multilateral basis, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said on Monday. "The participation of experts from the countries of the region could yield positive results and serve as the basis for holding joint anti-terror exercises," the deputy foreign minister said at a security forum in the Asia-Pacific region. "International terrorism is one of the most serious threats, including for the Asia-Pacific region, and it is possible to fight against it effectively only by joint efforts. Military exercises play a special role in building up the joint potential of countering modern threats," the deputy foreign minister said. Russia will also participate in several international military drills soon, he said. In September, Russia and India will hold joint military exercises dubbed Indra-2015, he said. "Recently, the first stage of the Russian-Chinese naval maneuvers came to an end in the Mediterranean Sea. We plan to hold the second stage in the area of the Sea of Japan in August," the Russian deputy defense minister said. In May 2016, Russia will take part in the ADMM-Plus (ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus) maritime security drills in the South China Sea, the Russian deputy defense minister said. Read more