Beijing, May 4 (IANS): China and Russia are scheduled to hold a first-ever joint computer-aided command staff missile defence exercise in May.

The main purpose of the exercise is to deal with accidental and provocative ballistic and cruise missile strikes on the two countries' territories through the joint operation, China's defence ministry announced on Tuesday.

The computer-aided command staff missile defence exercise will use modern simulation technology with the help of computers to design missile attacks and counterattack measures, Li Jie, a Beijing-based military expert, told the Global Times, adding that Russia is more advanced in early warning and shore-based interception, while China holds an edge in sea-based interception.

"Such an exercise shows the mutual support of the two countries on politics and morality, but a joint operation (during wartime) can guarantee that both countries would not face threats from behind," Li said.

As a first-time exercise, the two countries will need to use the same code and method during data transmission and command and control. It will take multiple computer simulation tests to get familiar with each other, according to Li.

The drills will take place in Russia, however dates and the exact location are yet to be announced.