Teams from almost 20 countries to participate in International Army Games in Russia

Almost 60 teams from 17 countries will participate in the International Army Games, which Russia will host in the first half of August, Chief of the Russian General Staff, Col.-Gen. Valery Gerasimov said at a briefing for military attaches on Tuesday.

"The first International Army Games will involve 57 teams from 17 states and 20 groups of observers from six countries representing Europe, Asia, Arica and Latin America," the general said.

Overall, more than 2,000 foreign servicemen will take part in the competition, according to the 2015 Army Games Organizing Committee.

The most representative teams have come from China and Belarus, the chief of the Russian General Staff said.

Specifically, the Chinese servicemen will participate in 12 contests while the Belarusian team will take part in nine events.

The Games will be held at 11 training ranges located on the territory spreading "from Siberia to Kuban [the southern Krasnodar Region]," Gerasimov said.

"Overall, the program of the Games envisages 14 contests to check field, flight and marine skills," the general said.

The largest number of teams — thirteen — will participate in the Tank Biathlon, Gerasimov said.

Last year, 12 countries were represented at the international stage of this competition, the chief of the Russian General Staff said.