Myanmar holding joint naval exercise with Russia in Indian Ocean

The military-run Myanmar is holding its first joint naval exercise with Russia to be carried out in the Andaman Sea.

As reported by the Defense Post, the maritime security exercise with Russia is being held from November 7 to 9 and conducted 157 kilometers west of Myeik in Myanmar’s far south in the Indian Ocean.

The three-day joint drill involves aircraft and naval vessels and focuses on defending against threats from air, sea and land as well as other maritime security measures. Three destroyers from Russia's Pacific Fleet are participating with a crew of 800.

The publication recalls, that Russia is a major supporter and arms supplier of Myanmar’s military government, which has ousted the previous government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. Russia defends Myanmar’s military government in international forums, and the ruling generals return the favor by generally supporting Moscow’s foreign policy agenda.