Russia plans to deploy drones to evaluate warfare readiness

Russia is planning to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) over the country’s Central Military District in a bid to check the combat readiness of its armed personnel.

Central Military District spokesman Colonel Yaroslav Roshchupkin was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying that Zastava unmanned aerial vehicles, which perform air control of the advance and alignment of Central Military District forces, will allow assessing the results of the snap check of combat readiness.

"Operators fly drones at heights ranging from 200 to 500 meters," Roshchupkin added.

"This will provide the command of the district and officers of the Russian General Staff of the Armed Forces with a complete picture of what is going on."

The latest move comes in the wake of an order from Russian President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Vladimir Putin for surprise exercises to ensure the combat readiness of the Central Military District.

In line with the order, personnel from the Central Military District, together with the military units deployed on its territory, had been kept on full combat readiness, with inspection to continue through 28 June 2014.

Drills involve participation of more than 65,000 troops; about 5,500 units of weaponry and military equipment; more than 160 aircraft and about 60 helicopters.

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