MOSCOW, October 18. /TASS/. Russian airborne forces and Egyptian troops have held joint daytime and night firing drills at the Defenders of Friendship 2016 maneuvers, Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"Today Russian airborne forces have for the first time left Egypt’s El-Umayed military base for the joint daytime and night firing drills using combat arms at the Alam el-Hadem practice range. The paratroopers from both countries held shooting practice, firing from automatic rifles and hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, demonstrating their skills. During the gunnery exercises, the servicemen of both countries accomplished more than 600 firing assignments and then hit over 800 targets at various distances," the Defense Ministry said.

The Russian-Egyptian Defenders of Friendship anti-terror drills involve over 500 servicemen. During the wargames, the servicemen from both countries will be assigned the missions to liquidate illegal armed formations in the desert. The drills being held on the territory of Egypt will last through October 26.

Representatives of more than 30 countries are observing the drills.