Pakistani and Russian armed forces have launched their seventh joint exercise, Druzhba VII.  This relates to the training of troops in combating terrorism.  “The two-week long exercise commenced on October 13, 2024, at National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Pabbi to polish professional skills and bring deeper military cooperation between the two nations,” said Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations.

This joint exercise is conducted between the Light Commando Troops of the Pakistan Army and a Russian military contingent, with strong military cooperation between the two countries at its core.  The ISPR observed that this would enhance operational tactics, improve coordination, and strengthen combat readiness through joint training.  The opening ceremony was attended by the Commandant of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, who served as the chief guest for the event.

The legacy of military cooperation between Pakistan and Russia is continued through Druzhba VII, which, as previous exercises, targeted common security challenges, especially in counterterrorism.  The last iteration, Druzhba VI, was held in 2021 at Krasnodar, Russia, with respective joint drills on counterterrorism.

Joint military exercises like Druzhba are essential to Pakistan’s defence strategy.  The armed forces continuously train with the armies of international partners on the essentials of efficient combat, address logistical challenges, and implement military tactics.  Such exercises are crucial in determining gaps in current doctrines and enhancing the interoperability of the armed forces of both countries.

The current exchange between Pakistan and Russia is a gesture towards strengthening their defence relationship, which has blossomed for several years.  Both states benefit from counterterrorism cooperation and joint operations that mimic real threats, such as recently prevailed.

This year’s Druzhba exercise will also serve as a precursor to augmenting the historic military-to-military ties between the two countries.  This would focus on various aspects of operations against terrorism- tactical movements, hostage rescue operations, and neutralising terrorist threats in complex environments to develop a deeper understanding of combat strategies among the militaries and improve coordination in the entire process.

The joint exercise occurs when regional security dynamics are shifting, and Pakistan and Russia are keenly interested in continuing this stability through military cooperation.  The history of military partnerships goes back several decades for Pakistan, dating to the early days of its defence diplomacy with China and even more recently with the United States; still, it is a significant new development in the defence diplomacy of Pakistan with Russia.

During the next two weeks of exercise, both countries will exercise their skills, improve interoperability, and increase the trust levels of their respective military forces.  Druzhba VII marks an operational sequel to the continuing strategic partnership between Pakistan and Russia in shared interests of security and stability.

For more reporting like this, please follow Newsdecensored on your favorite social media sites and bookmark the website. Thank you for your interest and support.