In the course of the exercise, the issues of interaction between the parties when performing tasks to defeat pre-set and suddenly emerging targets on the territory of the republic were worked out
TASS, September 7. A joint exercise of Syrian and Russian helicopter pilots took place in the desert in the Syrian Arab Republic. It was the first in the history of interaction between the two states, the chief of aviation of the Russian Federation's troops in Syria, Andrey Ermakov, told reporters.
"Today we have completed the last stage of the joint tactical flight exercise of the Syrian Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Forces. During the exercise, issues of interaction between the Syrian Army aviation and the Russian Federation were worked out when performing tasks to defeat pre-set and suddenly emerging targets on the territory of the Arab Republic, as well as issues of ensuring the landing of tactical troops together with the Syrian army aviation," Yermakov said, adding that this is the first exercises of Russian and Syrian helicopter pilots.
According to him, the exercise was conducted at a high level. In turn, the representative of the Syrian Air Force said that such exercises are important for Syrian pilots. "We fly Mi-24 helicopters, this is a very good and reliable combat vehicle. And we want to thank the Russian pilots for the experience of working with them," he said.
The Russian side took part in the exercise with Mi-8 transport helicopters and Ka-52 attack helicopters, the Syrian side used Mi-24. The exercise was held in the Syrian desert in conditions as close as possible to combat.
The Russian aerospace forces have been in Syria since 2015. During this time, thanks to the help of Russian pilots, the Syrian government army has almost completely liberated the territory of the country from militants from Islamist groups.
