MOSCOW: Russian and Chinese naval forces showcased their military capabilities with missile and artillery drills in the Sea of Japan as part of the Ocean-2024 naval exercises, Russia’s RIA state news agency reported on Monday.
The Ocean-2024 drills involved more than 15 warships from Russia’s Pacific Fleet, including the flagship missile cruiser Varyag. The exercise featured joint missile and artillery firings, aiming to enhance the combat readiness and interoperability of the Russian and Chinese navies.
The drills, conducted in the strategic Sea of Japan, underline the growing military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing amidst increasing regional tensions. According to RIA, the maneuvers were part of a broader series of joint exercises designed to demonstrate the operational capabilities of the two naval forces.
The Ocean-2024 exercises come at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. The joint naval drills are seen as a demonstration of the strengthening strategic partnership between Russia and China, two major military powers with shared interests in counterbalancing US influence in the region.
The exercises also included various naval operations and tactical maneuvers aimed at improving coordination between the Russian and Chinese fleets.
