China and Mongolia Jointly Conduct "Steppe Partner-2026" Army Joint Training
Mongolian News Agency, Inner Mongolia, June 9 — The joint field exercise "Steppe Partner-2026," conducted by the armies of Mongolia and China, concluded successfully on June 6 at the "Zhu Rihe" training base in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.
Before the closing ceremony of the biennial joint training held under the framework of military cooperation between the two countries, both sides carried out live-fire tactical demonstration exercises, during which participating personnel showcased the outcomes of this training.
This joint exercise is notable for Mongolian armed forces personnel crossing the border into China with their own weapons and equipment to participate in training. Previous joint exercises were always held within Mongolia, making this the first time such a drill has taken place in China.
National Defense Deputy Minister of Mongolia D. Batsanbaya, General Commander of the Training and Preparation Department of the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces C. Tuyumunh, and Major General Tan Hailin, Commander of the Northern Theater Command Ground Forces of the People's Liberation Army of China, among other senior military leaders from both nations, attended the live-fire joint shooting exercise and the closing ceremony.
The tactical drills held prior to the closing ceremony focused on the theme of "identifying and eliminating illegal armed groups."
During the exercise, personnel from both countries conducted joint operations across multiple domains including reconnaissance, fire support, armored combat, engineering support, and air defense, successfully completing all tactical demonstration tasks.
General C. Buyandelger, overall commander of the Mongolian side’s exercise, stated: "Since its inception in 2009, the 'Steppe Partner' joint exercise has now been held six times and represents one of the highest-level forms of military exchanges and cooperation between our two nations. Through such exercises, both sides can exchange new equipment, technologies, operational methods, and experiences, applying them to modernization efforts in weapon systems." He emphasized that joint field exercises are an essential component of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, providing a valuable platform for collaborative research on the latest developments in modern science and technology in the defense sector.
According to D. Uligjbaatar, Chief of Staff of the 'Steppe Partner-2026' Exercise, "This exercise extensively utilized modern equipment such as drones and robotic dogs. Compared to previous exercises, this training placed greater emphasis on drones, robotic wolves, and new small-unit combat tactics. This clearly reflects the growing significance of technological advancement in modern warfare."
Chinese representatives emphasized that during the joint training, soldiers from both countries not only participated in tactical drills but also took part in cultural and sports activities, thereby enhancing mutual understanding and friendship.
The Chinese exercise lead stated: "Mongolian troops demonstrated strict discipline and high military proficiency, leaving a deep impression on us during the recent joint training period. We hope to continue conducting joint exercises in the future and learn more valuable experience from them."
At the closing ceremony, the Ministries of National Defense of both Mongolia and China, along with the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces, awarded honors and certificates to personnel from both sides who had fulfilled their missions outstandingly during the exercise.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867495201793289/
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