Russia, Iran, and China begin joint naval exercises amid rising tension

12 March 2024 , 10:35

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Russia, Iran and China are carrying out joint naval exercises (Image: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation)

Russia, Iran and China have begun joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman, the Russian Ministry of Defence has said.

The exercise — called "Maritime Security Belt-2024"— is set to "improve the safety of maritime economic activity", Russia has said. The country's Ministry of Defence said warships involved include the guards' missile cruiser "Varyag" and the frigate "Marshal Shaposhnikov".

The announcement comes amid increasing tensions with the West, which have created fears of a widespread conflict that could result in World War 3. Last month, Vladimir Putin used his annual State of the Nation address to warn Russia's nuclear capabilities are at a state of "full readiness."

READ MORE: Royal Navy's £3billion aircraft carrier fails to leave harbour to join NATO exercise

The exercises are being carried out in the Gulf of Oman (Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation)

In his speech on February 29, he said: "Strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness for guaranteed use. What we planned in the field of armaments, which I spoke about in my message in 2018, has all been done or this work is being completed." The latest joint exercises raise fears of further tensions with the West.

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Ships from the three countries will perform joint manoeuvres and fire at surface and air targets while also practising "elements of freeing a ship captured by pirates." Russia said more than 20 ships, support vessels and combat boats of the Russian Navy, the Iranian and Chinese Navy, as well as naval helicopters, are involved.

It is the sixth time this naval exercise has been held. It was first held in the Arabian Sea in 2018. Russia said that for the first time, representatives of the navies of Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Oman, India and South Africa will take part in the exercise as observers. Last year, the frigate Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov, the world's first full-time carrier of hypersonic missile weapons, was involved in the exercise, said the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued threats to the West (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Beijing has maintained close ties with Moscow during its war against Ukraine, with Iran and Russia also deepening its military and political cooperation. In May 2023, the US warned Iran is Russia's top military backer in its invasion of Ukraine, selling them more than 400 advanced attack drones in a deadly partnership.

The White House said Russia is looking to buy additional advanced attack drones from Iran for use in the Kremlin's war in Ukraine after using up most of the 400 drones it had already purchased from Tehran. Iran has provided Russia with more than 400 advanced drones since August 2022.

China's President Xi Jinping (AFP via Getty Images)

Russia is also offering support to Iran as well, as Iran seeks billions of dollars worth of military equipment from the warmongering nation, the US warned. Officials have stated publicly that the United States believes Iran was considering selling hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia for months, but Washington did not yet have evidence a deal was reached.

Earlier this year, we reported that British forces would engage in one of NATO's biggest military exercises since the Cold War, in a massive and defiant gesture against Kremlin aggression. More than 20,000 sailors, soldiers and aircrew are taking part in the pan-European Exercise Steadfast Defender 24, from February to June.

With NATO partners, they will practice defending against Russian aggression amid escalating con­­cern that another big war in Europe could break out. There are now 31 members of NATO after Russia's neighbour Finland joined in April. Though not a NATO member, Finland's neighbour Sweden also joined the exercise.

British involvement includes the RAF5's F-35 fighter jets, eight Navy warships and submarines, and 400 Royal Marines Commandos. The Army is deploying 16,000 troops across Eastern Europe, taking with them tanks, artillery, helicopters and parachutes.

Chiara Fiorillo