China, Russia to conduct first computer-aided missile drills

BEIJING: China and Russia will hold their first-ever joint computer-aided command staff missile defence exercise this month as both the countries seek closer strategic ties and expanded military cooperation.

The joint exercise does not target a third party, the China's Ministry of Defence said.

The main purpose of the exercise which will take place in Russia is to deal with accidental and provocative ballistic and cruise missile strikes on the two countries' territories through the joint operation, the ministry said in a statement.

The computer-aided command staff missile defence exercise will use modern simulation technology with the help of computers to design missile attacks and counterattack measures, Li Jie, a Beijing-based military expert, was quoted as saying by the state-run Global Times.

Russia is more advanced in early warning and shore-based interception, while China holds an edge in sea-based interception, he said.

"Such an exercise shows the mutual support of the two countries on politics and morality, but a joint operation (during wartime) can guarantee that both countries would not face threats from behind," Li said.

As a first-time exercise, the two countries will need to use the same code and method during data transmission and command and control.

It will take multiple computer simulation tests to get familiar with each other, Li said.

China and Russia have firmed up their military cooperation in recent years with increasing number of naval exercises.