Russia and Syria has held the first-ever joint exercise of helicopter pilots in the deserts of the Syrian Arab Republic, the chief of Russia’s air component in Syria Andrey Yermakov told media.

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Kamov Ka-52 (Picture source: Oleg V. Belyakov)

“Today we have completed the final stage of the joint exercise of Russia’s Aerospace Forces and Syria’s Air Force. The sides practiced cohesion between Syrian and Russian army aviation units during engagement of known and rapidly emerging targets in the [Syrian] Arab Republic, and tactical troop landing,” said Yermakov, adding that this was the first joint exercise of Russian and Syrian helicopter pilots. According to him, the exercise was a well-conducted event.

A representative of the Syrian Air Force said such exercises are important for the Syrian pilots. “We operate Mi-24 helicopters; it is a reliable and effective air platform. We want to express our gratitude to the Russian pilots for such experience of joint work,” he said.

During the exercise, the Russian pilots were operating Kamov Ka-52 (NATO reporting name: Hokum-B) reconnaissance-attack rotorcraft and Mil Mi-8 (Hip) utility helicopters, while the Syrian pilots were flying Mil Mi-24 (Hind) gunships. The exercise was held in a simulated operational environment.

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