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When compared to NATO or even Warsaw Pact Exercises, this is miniscue and yet got far more media than it actually deserves ... at least militarily speaking. I was really hoping to see more this time but the cancellation of a scripted ... I mean scripted air drop really raises my eyebrow. The Chinese got more than 2 years to prepare and they couldn't get the script right?
And the entertainment? We're lucky if the band was playing at the Mess. And I'm sure East German, Czech, and Polish troops never got so much eye candy.
Which brings to the point S2 and the Brigadier were alluding to, Just what is this exercise suppose to accomplish? Wklaw and Zeng_xinren touched on it - to send a message to the US ... but it's more than that. The Russians and the Chinese are also keeping an eye on each other.
Again, do note what kind of forces are participating. No one is sending the best of the best. The Chinese refused to ask for any help from the Russians to solve their air drop problem. The J-10 stayed at home and the piece of junk JH-7xxxx was sent instead. The Russians only committed a single air drop company that was withdrawn at the request of the Chinese. Clearly, both sides know that they cannot and will not show their best.
Contrast this to the NATO history projects with the former Warsaw Pact. The Czechs had plans to Moscow's nuclear strike doctrine. The Chinese and the Russians are far from being allies, let alone best friends, ... but perhaps very good neighbours.
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Chimo
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