MOSCOW, October 4. /TASS/. A contingent of Russian paratroops with standard armaments and equipment will be airlifted to Egypt for an exercise, the Russian Defense Ministry has said.

"For the first time ever Russia’s military transport planes will promptly airlift Russian paratroops and equipment to Africa. It will be the first large-scale operation for the Russian military to airlift paratroops to Egypt," the ministry said without mentioning any dates or the strength of the contingent.

Earlier, the Defense Ministry said that Russia and Egypt would hold a joint exercise in October to practice an operation against terrorists in the desert. Observers from more than 30 countries will monitor the exercise.