China, Russia practice joint strikes on ships and air defense during naval drills
The naval forces of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Russia completed the practical phase of their annual joint exercise, Joint Sea 2026, on July 11. The drills were conducted in the waters and airspace of the Yellow Sea near Qingdao, one of China’s largest naval bases.
According to Ukrinform, China’s state broadcaster CCTV stated this in an article.
The exercises focused on joint submarine rescue operations, strikes against enemy vessels, and air and missile defense missions.
“During the current naval exercises, Chinese and Russian forces concentrated on conducting joint submarine rescue operations, striking enemy ships, and carrying out air and missile defense missions. The two sides strengthened mutual trust, improved joint operational capabilities, and reinforced their friendly relations,” the report said.
China’s Ministry of National Defense noted that this year’s exercises differed from previous ones because they were conducted without a pre-planned scenario. Commanders from both countries were required to make real-time operational decisions on maneuvering and the allocation of firepower based on the tactical situation, weather conditions, and other factors.
Special attention was devoted to air and missile defense, as well as countering attacks by maritime and aerial drones.
The Chinese Defense Ministry stated that the exercises had been successfully completed and that both militaries would continue improving their ability to conduct joint naval operations.
“Both sides will continue to follow the principles of openness, transparency, and mutual trust, while further expanding the scale of joint exercises in support of global peace and stability,” the PLA Navy said.
China also announced that, according to the exercise plan, part of the Chinese and Russian forces will conduct a joint naval patrol in designated areas of the Pacific Ocean.
No further details regarding the timing, objectives, or participating forces have been disclosed.
China and Russia have held the Joint Sea naval exercises annually since 2012, alternating between Chinese and Russian waters. Last year’s drills took place near the Russian Pacific port of Vladivostok and were followed by a joint patrol in the Pacific Ocean.
Western countries remain wary of the growing economic and military partnership between Beijing and Moscow, as China has not condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched in 2022. Instead, Beijing continues to maintain that it is neutral while regularly calling for peace negotiations.
As Ukrinform previously reported, NATO is testing a new counter-drone system based on Ukraine’s battlefield experience.