The first phase of joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises began the 18 September 2009 with the involvement of some 100 aircraft and 12,600 military personnel, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced. The five-day first phase of the joint Zapad 2009 (West 2009) anti-aircraft defense exercises will concentrate on the preparation of defense operations of the regional forces. The second phase of the exercises, on September 23-29, will focus on the effectiveness of the unified regional anti-aircraft defense systems of Russia and Belarus The exercise will, among other things, rehearse interoperability within the framework of the Belarusian-Russian integrated air defense system, which the two countries agreed to establish in February. According to the Belarusian Defense Ministry statement, 63 airplanes, 40 helicopters, 470 infantry fighting vehicles, 228 tanks and 234 artillery systems will participate in the exercises. S-300 air defense missile systems will also be used.The first phase of joint Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2009 military exercises began the 18 September 2009 with the involvement of some 100 aircraft and 12,600 military personnel, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced.

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Russia's advanced S-500 air defense system could be developed in the next few years, the Air Force commander said on Wednesday. The S-500 is currently at the blueprint stage at the Almaz-Antei company and is expected to be rolled out by 2012. The S-500 is expected to have an extended range of up to 600 km (over 370 miles) and simultaneously engage up to 10 targets. The system will be capable of destroying hypersonic and ballistic targets. The S-500 is built to replace S-400 Triumph.Russia's advanced S-500 air defense system could be developed in the next few years, the Air Force commander said on Wednesday. The S-500 is currently at the blueprint stage at the Almaz-Antei company and is expected to be rolled out by 2012.

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