BAKU, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan on Monday launched large-scale military exercises with up to 25,000 military personnel involved, the country's Defence ministry said.
The drills, which are set to continue until Saturday, are being conducted in accordance with the plan approved by President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev.
The exercises involve up to 25,000 military personnel, 250 tanks and other armored vehicles, 1,000 missiles and artillery systems of different caliber, multiple launch rocket systems and mortars, up to 50 army and front-line aviation for various purposes.
During the drills, the troops will carry out tasks to prevent the enemy from attacking, suppress the enemy with fire, restore defense along advantageous frontiers by inflicting counter strikes and conduct a large-scale counteroffensive operation.
The military personnel will conduct exercises to operate troops and fire means, prevent various actions of the imaginary enemy in difficult conditions of mountain relief and electronic warfare environment.
Live-fire exercises will be conducted with the use of new weapon systems at various training grounds.
The exercises conducted by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in sovereign territories are in line with the provisions of Chapter V of the Vienna Document 2011 of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the foreign ministry said.