Russian, Iranian, Chinese ships practicing artillery firing in Gulf of Oman

Russian, Iranian, and Chinese ships, during the "Marine Security Belt-2025" exercise in the Gulf of Oman (northern part of the Indian Ocean), practiced artillery firing and conducted an operation to free a ship conditionally captured by terrorists.

"Over the course of two days, the crews of the ships conducted day and night shooting with large-caliber machine guns and small arms at targets simulating unmanned boats and drones of a conditional enemy," the Russian Ministry of Defense said, Caliber.Az reports.

The ministry said one of the key episodes of the exercise was the joint search for a ship captured by conditional terrorists, as well as a special forces operation to free it.

Naval helicopters were used at various stages of the exercise, it added.

"They were deployed for reconnaissance, target designation for the joint task force ships, and for delivering assault teams to the conditionally captured vessels. The Ka-27M helicopter of the Pacific Fleet's naval aviation was involved in all episodes," the ministry underlined.

The ministry also said that after successfully completing the tasks, the ships returned to the Iranian port of Chahbahar, where the exercise's results will be summarized, and a closing ceremony will take place.

On March 9, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the start of the naval exercise "Marine Security Belt-2025" involving ships from Russia, Iran, and China. This year, approximately 15 ships, support vessels, and combat boats, as well as naval aviation helicopters, are participating. Russia is represented by the corvettes "Rezkiy," "Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov," and the medium naval tanker "Pechenga" of the Pacific Fleet.

The international naval exercise "Marine Security Belt," organized by the Iranian side, is being held for the seventh time. It was first conducted in the Arabian Sea in 2018. Ships of the Iranian Navy, China, and the Russian Navy regularly participate in the exercise.

By Khagan Isayev