China Iran and Russia Naval Exercise!
Beijing, Mar 9 (EFE).-
China, Iran and Russia will hold their fifth joint naval exercises mid-month near the Iranian port of Chabahar, the Asian giant’s defense ministry announced Sunday.
The exercises, called ‘Security Belt 2025’, aim to “deepen military mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation among the participating countries’ troops,” according to the ministry.
It added that the drills will incorporate training courses including maritime target strike, VBSS (visit, board, search, and seizure), damage control and joint search and rescue operations.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will send the destroyer Baotou and the resupply ship Gaoyouhu to participate, the ministry reported.
These annual exercises were also held in the Gulf of Oman on similar dates last year, and included the participation of Chinese forces from the guided missile destroyer Urumqi, the missile frigate Linyi and the supply ship Dongpinghu.
Last year’s edition coincided with the fighting by the Houthi rebels in Yemen against US and British warships stationed in the Red Sea to “protect” navigation in this strategic route, through which it is estimated that around 15 percent of the world’s maritime trade passes. EFE
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