Russia, China and Iran launch joint naval exercise — RT World News
Russian, Chinese and Iranian naval ships are conducting a joint exercise in the Arabian Sea this week, launching from the port of Shah Bahar in the Gulf of Oman.
The maneuvers are dubbed “Maritime Security Belt” It is scheduled to take place between March 12 and 15, and ships and aircraft from the three countries will participate. Envoys from the armies of Azerbaijan, India, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan and South Africa are attending the conference as observers.
He added, “The practical part of the exercise will take place in the waters of the Arabian Sea, specifically the Gulf of Oman.” The Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Monday. “The main purpose of the maneuvers is to ensure the safety of maritime economic activities.”
Two ships of the Pacific Fleet, the Varyag-class guided missile cruiser Slava and the Udaloy-class frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, make up the Russian contingent in the exercises.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Defense, the People's Liberation Army Navy sent the guided-missile destroyer Urumqi, the guided-missile frigate Linyi, and the supply ship Dongpinghu.
The Iranian Navy contributes several helicopters and dozens of ships of different sizes.
“Maritime Security Belt” It started in 2019 as a joint project between Moscow, Beijing and Tehran. China was absent from the 2021 exercises, but has participated in all exercises since then.
During the 2023 exercises, the three navies practiced sailing in formation together, conducted day and night gunnery tests, simulated freeing hostages from a ship held by pirates and assisting a ship in distress.
The training area is located near the entrance to the Arabian Gulf, where most of the world's oil shipments come from. On the other side of the Arabian Peninsula, off the coast of Yemen, the United States and its allies have deployed multiple warships in an attempt to prevent the Houthis from intercepting maritime trade linked to Israel. Not only did they fail, but the Houthis have since added British and American merchant ships to their list of targets.
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