Ashiq Aspan-international operational-tactical command and staff exercise with the participation of servicemen of the Air Force and air defense specialists of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is taking place from September 10 to 14.

The exercise is aimed at increasing the coherence of the military command bodies of friendly countries, practicing joint use of air defense forces, and providing commanders with practical skills in managing military units in special cases of combat duty.

It involves frontline helicopters, army and military transport aircraft, as well as air defense forces and means. During the exercise, air force pilots fly including in the airspace of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

The Ashiq Aspan exercise is taking place under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Lieutenant General of Aviation Dauren Kosanov.

"We conduct such exercises on a regular basis. They allow servicemen of friendly countries to gain practical experience in performing joint air defense tasks, coordinating combat crews, and also increasing the defense capability of our countries," noted D. Kosanov.

A special feature of the exercise was the development of the procedure for interaction between combat crews of the Air Defense Forces and command posts and control posts of neighboring states (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) in cases of violation of the state border or airspace use rules.

In addition, as part of the Ashiq Aspan-2024 exercises, troops are being trained for practical actions to repel enemy air strikes within the framework of the unified air defense system of the Commonwealth of Independent States.