The Tsentr-2019 (Center-2019) drills are hosted in eight training ranges including Donguz, Totsky and Ashuluk in the European part of the Russian Federation. Up to 12,950 people (of which up to 10,700 are the Russian military), and over 20,000 units of military hardware and weapons including 250 tanks, 450 armored infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, 200 artillery systems and multiple artillery rocket systems, 600 aircraft systems and 15 warships and support vessels are involved in the drills held between September 16 to 21. Seven foreign states take part in the Center-2019 exercises: China, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The maneuvers will practice measures to employ troops from a coalition of countries in fighting international terrorists and ensuring military security in the Central Asian strategic area .The drills comprise two modules. The first module to include counter-terror operations, repelling air strikes, reconnaissance operations and defensive measures, while the second will focus on offensive operations to rout the notional enemy.
China will be represented in the drills by troops of the 76th Group Army under the PLA Western Theater Command. The Chinese military will send 1,600 troops, 300 weapon systems and around 30 helicopters and aircraft to take part in drills.
