“Joint Sea-2026” drills begin as Russia, China deepen military ties

Russian and Chinese navies have started the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise in Qingdao, focusing on joint maritime operations.

The start of the drills was announced by the exercise commanders, Russian Rear Admiral Sergey Sinko and Chinese Rear Admiral Qiu Wensheng, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The exercises will take place in the Yellow Sea from July 6 to July 13.

Naval personnel from both countries, supported by aviation assets, will conduct joint search-and-rescue operations. One phase of the drills will focus on rescuing the crew of a simulated distressed submarine using a deep-submergence rescue vehicle. The participants will also carry out joint artillery firing exercises, anti-submarine warfare operations and air defence drills.

Russia’s Pacific Fleet will deploy the guided missile cruiser Varyag, the corvette Rezky, the diesel-electric submarine Ufa and the rescue vessel Igor Belousov.

The People's Liberation Army Navy will participate with the destroyers Anshan and Kaifeng, the frigate Wuhu, a Yuan-class diesel-electric submarine, the replenishment ship Kekexilihu and the rescue ship Yangchenghu.

China’s Ministry of National Defence previously announced the exercises, stating that following the drills, part of the participating forces will conduct a joint maritime patrol in the Pacific Ocean.

According to the ministry, the exercises are part of the annual cooperation plan between the Chinese and Russian armed forces and are aimed at addressing common security challenges and maintaining peace and stability in the region.

By Jeyhun Aghazada