Azerbaijan starts large-scale military drills

BAKU, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan's armed forces kicked off large-scale military exercises on Monday, according to The country's Defense Ministry.

The five-day military drills will involve up to 10,000 military personnel, nearly 500 tanks and armored vehicles, about 300 missiles and artillery systems, multiple launch rocket systems and mortars, and up to 20 army and front-line aviation units.

The exercises will see troops carry out a wide range of tasks, including offensive operations and strikes on imaginary enemy targets from several directions.

The troops will also test new weaponry systems, The ministry said.