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| Russia-China Ready to Hold Joint Naval Exercise 'Naval Interaction-2022' |
International Military - Russia and China will carry out a joint naval exercise called Naval Interaction-2022, in the East China Sea on December 21-27. This was announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense, Monday (19/12/2022). "The main objective of this exercise is to strengthen Naval cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, as well as maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," said a Russian Defense Ministry statement on Telegram, as quoted by Anadolu Agency.
According to the statement, joint missile and artillery firing against air targets will be carried out by the two Navies, in addition to artillery firing on sea targets and joint anti-submarine maneuver exercises. “The Russian Navy at the exercise will be represented by the flagship of the Pacific Fleet Order Nakhimov, the Guards missile cruiser Varyag, the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, the corvettes of project 20380 Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov and Sovershennyy,” the Russian Defense Ministry said further.
The statement added that two destroyers, two patrol boats, one integrated supply ship and one diesel submarine will be engaged in the exercises from the Chinese side. The two countries have held the annual "Navy Interaction" exercise since 2012.
In September, China sent more than 2,000 troops along with more than 300 military vehicles, 21 warplanes and three warships to take part in joint exercises with Russia. The maneuvers marked the first time China has sent troops from its three military branches to take part in a single Russian exercise, which was described as a show of the breadth and depth of Sino-Russian mutual trust.
Defense cooperation between Moscow and Beijing has strengthened since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine on February 24. China, which has declared "borderless" friendship with Russia, resolutely refuses to criticize Moscow's actions, blames the US and NATO for provoking the Kremlin, and denounces the punitive sanctions imposed on Russia.