Russia will send over 1,000 troops to take part in a series of anti-terror drills, entitled Peace Mission 2010, to be held in Kazakhstan between 9-25 September, the Russian Defence Ministry has said.

“Over 1,000 troops, 130 armoured vehicles (tanks, self-propelled artillery systems and infantry fighting vehicles), more than 100 trucks, and over ten airplanes and helicopters will take part on the Russian side,” the ministry said.

About 5,000 troops from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states will take part in the exercises and will contribute at least one operational-tactical group, according to RIA Novosti.

The drills are intended to test the interoperability of the SCO armed forces during internal armed conflict or a mass terrorist attack.