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Russian Combat Helicopters Hold Exercises In Southern Region

Russia's Defence Ministry held large-scale training exercises with next-generation combat helicopters Night Hunter, Crocodile, Terminator, Alligator in southern Krasnodar region on Friday. The drills saw crews show off Russia's advances in radar technologies by carrying out combat takeoffs and landings, conduct missile launches and target airborne and ground targets. The exercises come as the Russian government considers a five percent cut in defence procurement spending this year. The proposal is backed by the finance ministry and has the support of several other ministries and state institutions. A five percent cut in defence procurement spending would save the government no more than 100 billion roubles or 1.29 billion USD, according to an estimate by an official. Defence spending is budgeted at four percent of gross domestic product this year, or about a fifth of all government spending, and Russia has military engagements in Syria and Ukraine. Already the world's third biggest spender on defence, Russia has allocated 3.14 trillion roubles to the military this year, up from 3.12 trillion roubles in 2015.

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