KIEV, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine this year will hold the largest international aviation exercise since its independence, the country's Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

The exercise "Clear Sky-2018," scheduled to be held in mid-October, will involve more than 40 aerial vehicles, as well as dozens of air defense systems and radio-technical items, the ministry said in a statement.

Hundreds of troops from Ukraine and from about 10 member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are expected to participate in the exercise, the statement said.

The drill, aimed at strengthening security in Eastern Europe, would run for two weeks, it said.