China is sending some of its most advanced fighter jets and bombers to Russia later this month for a major international military exercise.

"The International Army Games 2018, initiated by the Russian Ministry of Defense, will start on July 28," China's Ministry of Defense said in a press statement last week. "It is co-organized by China, Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Iran."

"Participation in the International Army Games is an effective way to improve fighting capabilities under real combat conditions," the press statement added.

Yue Gang, a retired PLA colonel, told the South China Morning Post that the exercises will help the PLA learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of its aircraft and also learn from Russia about hardware and pilot training.

China and Russia's militaries have grown increasingly close lately, with Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying in early April that the two nations had forged a "strategic partnership" against a "unipolar" world dominated by the US.

Here's what China is bringing: