PLA Daily: Top 10 military exercises of world in 2012(5)

E. Strategic nuclear force exercise of Russia

Exercise time: October 19 to 20

Participating country: Russia

Exercise location: Russia

Exercise contents: "Topol-M" missiles launched by strategic missile troops, submarine-launched ballistic missiles launched by strategic nuclear submarines, air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM) launched by strategic bombers, cruise-missile interception by the "Armor-S" air-defense system, etc.

Concern index: ★★★★

Reasons for concern: the largest-scale nuclear force exercise conducted by Russia

Military strength committed: Russia's "trinity" strategic nuclear force and air-and-space defense force

Expert's comments: With the comprehensive progress of NATO's anti-missile systems, Russia's strategic nuclear deterrent capability is subject to serious threat. Commanded by Putin, with the trinity strategic nuclear combat force all out, this exercise bears more significance in emphasizing the use of nuclear weapons in actual battles and demonstrating the fact that Russia still owns the "visible and tangible" strategic deterrence capabilities. (By Gao Yun, with the Department of World Military Research of the Academy of Military Sciences (AMS) of the PLA)