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On August 12, the Russian Ministry Of Defense announced that the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) elite 25th Special Mission Forces Division, also known as the “Tiger Forces,” had held a new successful parachuting exercise with help from Russian military advisers.
The ministry shared footage of the exercise which saw dozens of Syrian service members parachuting from six Russian Mi-8AMTSh helicopters. The exercise was attended by senior Russian officers and directed by Brigadier General Suheil al-Hassan, the commander of 25th Special Mission Forces Division.
The exercise was the most recent in a series of joint drills between the SAA and the Russian military. The drills including several parachuting exercises, at least one of which took place at night.
Earlier this year, the Russian military began a program to help the SAA rebuild its capabilities to conduct airborne operations. A large facility was built and equipped specially to provide training on airborne operations for different army formations.
The SAA’s Russian-trained paratroops took part last month in a live-fire exercise that mimicked a large-scale attack on fortified enemy positions.
The recent joint drills highlight the growing cooperation and coordination between the SAA and the Russian military on all levels.