Elite units of the armed forces of the United States, France, and Japan during the joint exercises that began on Tuesday will for the first time practice combat in an urban setting.

They will take place in specially rebuilt scenery at the Kirishima training ground on the southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu, following the landing of airborne troops from the Japanese and French navies, TASS reported.

For the transfer of units, it is supposed to use helicopters and tiltrotors MV-22 Osprey. This operation, with the participation of about 220 special forces, will simulate the delivery of troops to the remote islands in the East China Sea controlled by Japan, some of which Beijing claims.

The exercises, which began on Tuesday, will last until May 17 - their ground part will be held at three military facilities on the island of Kyushu. The French light cruiser Jeanne d'Arc will arrive at the Sasebo naval base in the northwest for training. The armed forces of the United States and Japan have already conducted similar exercises on the island of Kyushu three times, but the French military is taking part in them for the first time.

In parallel with the current exercises, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said at a press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday, the warships of the three countries will conduct joint exercises in the East China Sea. The Australian Navy frigate will also join them.