China and Russia conclude Joint Sea-2026 naval exercises

The Joint Sea-2026 naval exercises between China and Russia concluded on Monday, July 13, at the military port of Qingdao in China’s Shandong Province.

According to Xinhua, all objectives assigned for the drills were successfully completed.

Following the conclusion of the exercises, part of the participating forces from both countries departed for the Pacific Ocean to conduct a joint maritime patrol.

The drills involved 10 naval vessels, as well as aircraft, submarines, and support ships. The primary focus of the exercises was “jointly countering maritime security risks.”

During the shore-based phase, participants carried out command-and-staff training, professional seminars, ship visits, and other joint activities.

The maritime phase included live-fire training and practical operations covering reconnaissance, air and missile defence, strikes against surface targets, and joint submarine rescue missions.

According to the Chinese commander overseeing the exercises, the drills were designed to closely replicate real combat conditions at sea and in the air and were focused on operational mission readiness.

He said the exercises help strengthen strategic trust between the armed forces of the two countries, deepen cooperation, and enhance their ability to respond jointly to maritime crises.

Joint Sea-2026, which began on July 6, was the 12th exercise in the series, which has been held since 2012. Zheng Hong, a researcher at the Naval Research Academy, said such drills play an important role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

By Jeyhun Aghazada