By Wang Shangjian and Liu Ying
Infantry fighting vehicles conduct live-fire shooting. (Photo by Yi Ding)
VIENTIANE, July 20 -- An all-element field drill of the China-Laos Friendship Shield-2024 joint military exercise was conducted at the training ground of the Kommadam Academy training ground of the Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF)on July 18, local time, aiming to enhance joint command and operation capabilities of the two militaries.
Focused on the theme of joint defensive operations, the two participating troops conducted training subjects including drone countermeasures, joint counterattacks, airborne assaults and battlefield emergency aid.
Multiple kinds of unmanned equipment were showcased in the drill, including reconnaissance and strike drones, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robots, and tracked unmanned vehicles. The troops' capabilities of coordinated manned and unmanned operation were fully examined.
During the drill, the two militaries dispatched helicopters to conduct training subjects including joint blockade, airborne assaults, and casualty evacuation, in coordination with infantry, engineering, medical and logistic forces, in a bid to improve their joint land-air combat capabilities.
After the field drill, the China-Laos Friendship Shield-2024 joint military exercise wrapped up with a closing ceremony. Leaders from the two sides presented honorary certificates and commemorative medals to outstanding participants. Both sides agreed that this joint exercise demonstrated the determination of the Chinese and Lao militaries to steadfastly safeguard regional stability. It also deepened bilateral military cooperation and strengthened the traditional friendship between the two countries and the two militaries.