Russia started transferring troops of its air force to China Wednesday for a joint military exercise later this month, Russian Air Force Commander Vladimir Mikhailov said in Moscow Wednesday.

Seven Il-76 military transport planes, carrying a reinforced company from the 76th airborne division and military hardware, took off Wednesday and another six Il-76s will soon transport cargo and motor vehicles to China, Mikhailov said.

An A-50 reconnaissance plane, an Il-78 tanker aircraft, an upgraded Su-24M attack plane, a Su-27SM fighter jet and a Tu-154 plane have also flown out to the maneuver area, Mikhailov said.

"Russian and Chinese troops will begin preparations for the exercises soon," Mikhailov added.

China and Russia will start their first joint military exercises, code-named "Peace Mission 2005," on August 18. The one-week maneuvers will be carried out in Vladivostok and east China's Shandong Peninsula and nearby offshore waters. Russia will send 1,800 troops for the maneuvers.

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2005)