China, Russia, Iran to hold joint naval drills

Asia-Pacific, Middle East, News January 20, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Russia, China, and Iran will hold joint naval maneuvers, media sources cited the Russian Pacific Fleet on January 18, without announcing a specific date.

The Russian Pacific Fleet’s press office reported, “The Pacific Fleet’s naval group made up of the Guards Order of Nakhimov missile cruiser Varyag, the large anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Tributs and the large sea tanker Boris Butoma has anchored in the roadstead of the Chabahar port in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In the port, the Russian Navy’s official delegation will take part in a planning conference on holding joint naval drills of combat ships of Russia, Iran, and China.”

The Russian naval ships will replenish food, fresh water, and fuel supplies at the port, according to the press office release.

The Chinese media outlet, Global Times cited a military commentator Song Zhongping as saying that “the three sides need to enhance cooperation in non-traditional security areas, especially in maritime security, as currently some countries continue to cause trouble in the sea, which is apparently a violation of international law.”

The Russian news agency, Tass reported on January 18 that “the Pacific Fleet’s naval task force departed from Vladivostok and embarked on its long-distance deployment several days before the new year 2022”. The Russian ships are expected to call at different ports in several nations during their long-term deployment.

*^{Russian, Chinese, and Iranian navies conducted the joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman from December 27- 30, 2019.}*

Earlier in December 2019, China, Russia, and Iran conducted a three-day joint naval military exercise in the Gulf of Oman, which connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz and holds strategic and economic importance.

China, Russia, and Iran aim to strengthen joint cooperation between their navies to protect shared interests and secure international oil, gas, and foreign trade routes.