Shanghai Cooperation Organisation military exercise 9-17 August

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a multilateral regional cooperation framework established in 2001 by six countries: Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, with four countries (Mongolia, India, Pakistan, and Iran) sitting as observers.

The 'Peace Mission 2007' joint military exercise, held by all six members of the SCO in the Volga-Urals military district of Russia from 9 until 17 August, will involve around 6500 military personnel and 80 aircraft. Russia will deploy about 4,700 personnel and 36 aircraft. China will be represented by around 1700 personnel and 46 aircraft. Tajikistan and Kazakhstan will send air assault companies, Kyrgyzstan, an air assault platoon and officers from Uzbekistan will take control of the whole exercise.

The manoeuvres will be conducted in three stages. The first stage will consist of military-political consultations at the level of chiefs of general staffs in the Chinese city of Urumqi, the second stage will consist of preparatory panning and the third will be the exercise proper.