China and Russia successfully concluded the four-day Northern/Interaction-2023 joint exercises in the Sea of Japan on Sunday and are now poised to transition to the next phase of joint naval and air patrols in the Pacific Ocean.
Experts have lauded the highly combat-oriented and practical nature of the drills, which showcased the strong military cooperation between the two nations in response to security threats. The closing ceremony took place aboard the Type 052D destroyer Qiqihar of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, the command ship for the exercises, according to a press release from the PLA Navy.
During the intense joint military exercises, the naval and air forces from China and Russia successfully completed multiple training objectives, including sea-air integrated escort and deterrence expulsion. They demonstrated seamless coordination as they switched between joint formations and combat groups, and carried out live fire surface-to-air shooting exercises using ship-borne weapons systems, as stated in the press release.
The drills achieved their intended goals of deepening mutual trust, enhancing friendship, and improving capabilities, as confirmed by the PLA Navy.
Rear Admiral Qiu Wensheng, the commander of the Northern/Interaction-2023 exercise, described the exercises as a significant China-Russia joint combat operation aimed at safeguarding the security of strategic maritime routes. He emphasized the importance of sea-air integrated joint capabilities in their military cooperation.
While the exercises did not target any specific third party, experts noted that they occurred amidst security concerns created by certain major geopolitical powers in the region. The joint exercises served to demonstrate the high level of mutual trust between the Chinese and Russian militaries.
Both China and Russia deployed their main combat weapons and equipment for the exercises, with training courses designed to be complex and combat-oriented. The fleet, consisting of approximately 10 vessels and 30 aircraft, showcased its capabilities in maintaining peace and stability in the region amid the global security challenges.
Following the conclusion of the Northern/Interaction-2023 joint exercise, the Chinese and Russian naval and aviation forces are scheduled to conduct joint patrols in Pacific waters. This is expected to be the first time that the two countries hold a joint naval and air patrol, marking another step in the increasingly enhanced strategic cooperation between China and Russia.
Prior to this, China and Russia have engaged in two joint naval patrols—one after the Joint Sea-2021 naval drills in 2021 and the other after the Russia-led Vostok-2022 strategic drills in 2022. Additionally, the two nations regularly conduct joint aerial strategic patrols, with the sixth patrol occurring in June of the current year. The upcoming joint naval and air patrol signifies the deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia, according to analysts.