The ships covered more than 6 thousand nautical miles, conducted a number of training sessions and visited the port of Qingdao
Russian Navy warships are returning to Vladivostok after a joint Russian-Chinese patrol in the Asia-Pacific region, the press service of the Pacific Fleet told Izvestia. It was attended by the Russian large anti-submarine ships Admiral Panteleev and Admiral Tributs. They have traveled more than 6 thousand nautical miles, conducted a number of training sessions and performed combat training exercises. Experts note that such interaction is aimed at increasing the potential for joint response against common security threats.
The patrol participants visited the port of Qingdao
Ships of the Russian Navy and the Chinese Navy performed their fourth patrol in the Asia-Pacific region after participating in the joint naval exercises "Beibu/Interaction – 2024" in the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk. On the Russian side, the large anti-submarine ships Admiral Panteleev and Admiral Tributs participated in them. From the Navy of the People's Liberation Army of China - the destroyers "Xining" and "Wuxi", the frigate "Lin Yi" and the complex supply ship "Taihu".
During the patrol, the ships traveled more than 6 thousand nautical miles, conducted a number of trainings and performed combat training exercises, including anti-submarine defense and rescue at sea.
Russian ships also visited the Chinese port of Qingdao. A delegation from the Russian side, led by the senior commander of the campaign, Rear Admiral Alexander Schwartz, met with the city's leadership.
The large anti-submarine ship Admiral Panteleev lifts anchors after the ceremony of sending off the Russian-Chinese detachment of ships for the exercise "Baby/Interaction – 2024" in Vladivostok
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Vitaly Ankov
The crews of the ships took part in sports, cultural and protocol events. During the excursions, the sailors of the two countries got acquainted with the weapons and combat capabilities of the ships of the patrol participants. In addition, basketball and tug-of-war competitions were held.
After leaving the port, the Russian ships headed for Vladivostok.
We have been conducting naval exercises with China regularly since 2012, and patrols since 2019. Vasily Kashin, Director of the Center for Integrated European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics, told Izvestia about this.
— There have been more of them lately, — he noted. — Formally, Russia and China declare that these events are not directed against any third parties. At the same time, if you pay attention to the latest Russian-Chinese statements, it says that military cooperation is aimed at increasing the potential for joint response against common security threats. As we know, NATO has declared Russia a security threat and China a challenge. That is, everything goes to the fact that he will also be declared a threat. The United States also considers us a threat. And although this is not explicitly indicated, Russia and China do take into account the possibility of aggression that will affect the interests of both countries, and are preparing for this.
Military personnel of the PLA Navy at the ceremony of sending off the Russian-Chinese detachment of ships for the exercise "Baby/Interaction – 2024" in Vladivostok
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Vitaly Ankov
Russia emphasizes, and the Chinese do not deny, that we do not have a military alliance with them, military expert Vasily Dandykin told Izvestia.
"We have a strategic partnership, as there are common concerns in the Pacific basin," he explained. — The difficult situation around Taiwan. So recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that he did not rule out a military solution to the Taiwan issue and asked the Chinese Armed Forces to be prepared for such a development.
The departure of the Russian-Chinese detachment of ships for the "Baby" exercise/Interaction – 2024" in Vladivostok
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Vitaly Ankov
According to the expert, China's military fleet is growing by leaps and bounds. In terms of the number of battle pennants, it has already exceeded all the navies of the world, including the American one.
— We also see that the states are forming new alliances — AUKUS, which includes the United Kingdom and Australia. They also signed an agreement with South Korea and Japan, which has hybrid aircraft carriers. With the latter, we have problems related to its claims to the Kuril Islands. But we also have our own economic ties. In particular, China considers the Northern Sea Route as a promising transport artery, so it is currently building icebreakers. There are many factors that bring our positions closer together from the point of view of security," Vasily Dandykin summed up.
What was practiced at the "Interaction-2024" exercises
The Russian Navy and the Chinese Navy have been actively working out joint actions in recent years. Several significant exercises have been held this year.
For example, in the joint exercises "Baby/Interaction – 2024" on the Russian side, a joint detachment of ships of the Pacific Fleet was involved, consisting of large anti-submarine ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Panteleev, corvettes Perfect, Loud, Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov and Sharp. From the Chinese side — the destroyer "Xining" and the frigate "Lin".
During the maneuvers, Russian and Chinese sailors practiced joint actions at sea, performed rocket and artillery firing at sea and air targets, conducted a search and rescue operation to assist an emergency ship. They also worked out the suppression of coastal targets of a conditional enemy by targeting naval aviation.
The departure of the Russian-Chinese detachment of ships for the "Baby" exercise/Interaction – 2024" in Vladivostok
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Vitaly Ankov
In mid-September, the Russian Navy completed the Ocean-2024 exercises, which became the largest in recent decades. 400 ships and vessels and about 90 thousand military personnel took part in them, they took place in different waters, including in the ocean zone.
Four ships, a supply ship and 15 aircraft participated in the exercises from the People's Liberation Army of China. A joint detachment of ships of the Russian Navy and the PLA Navy conducted comprehensive exercises, during which they repelled an air raid and eliminated the threat of attack by drones and unmanned boats, as well as destroyed a submarine of a simulated enemy in the Sea of Japan.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Julia Leonova
Andrey Fedorov
