Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan conducting 'Ashyk Aspan' air defense exercise

​​​​​​​By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan conducted an exercise Friday that focused on airspace protection.

The air forces of both countries practiced the coordinated deployment of air defense systems and refined their collaboration between combat units and command centers with neighboring Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are hosting the international operational-tactical command-staff exercise "Ashyk Aspan," or Clear Sky, from Sept. 10 - 14.

The exercise features participation from air forces and air defense specialists of both nations, as reported by the Kazakhstan Defense Ministry media service.

The main objectives of the exercise are to improve the coordination between military command structures of participating countries, address the integration of air defense forces and assets, and enhance commanders' practical skills in managing military units during special combat readiness scenarios.

The exercise is being conducted under the leadership of Daulet Kossanov, the commander-in-chief of the Air Defense Forces of the Kazakhstan Armed Forces.