OREANDA-NEWS. September 4, 2008. The first stage of Russian-Kazakh large-scale exercise Centre – 2008 started today in the Chelyabinsk Region (Valga-Urals military District).

Russian-Kazakh Joint exercise will involve 12,000 troops, over 1,000 armor, over 60 aircraft and great number of military vehicles at each side.

The exercise is designed to contribute to the further development of a united outlook and approach to joint planning in the interests of maintaining the national security of the two countries.

The exercise started on September 1 and will run through September 27.