Kazakhstan and Russia have launched a scheduled joint air defense exercise within the framework of their unified regional air defense system.

According to Kazakhstan’s Defense Ministry, the drill, taking place from Feb. 20 to March 10, is focused on detecting and tracking aerial targets, intercepting aircraft that violate airspace, and compelling them to land at designated airfields, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazakh media.

Officials said the exercise is designed to strengthen coordination between the two countries’ forces, as well as improve combat readiness and overall operational capabilities of their air defense units.