The Defense Exercise "Bastion 2009" is starting Thursday in Cuba with the slogan "Actions of the country and territories during the period of crisis to face military aggressions of the enemy on a large scale."

The aim of the three-day maneuver is to train leadership and command structures, and strengthen the preparation of military bodies led by the Cuban Communist Party, Granma newspaper reported.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) will carry out maneuvers, tactic exercises, management of troops and forces, artillery practices, aviation flights, and other actions.

The most important military exercise of the last five years in Cuba will be developed with austerity and efficiency, Leonardo Andollo, second chief of the FAR's General Staff, stated, alluding that, due to the current economic and financial restrictions, it will not have a massive nature.

About four million Cubans will also attend on November 29 in the National Defense Day. The objective is to protect people and economy, and train reserve units, the Territorial Troops Militias, and commands and troops of the Interior Ministry, high military chiefs said.