Russia and China will be holding a joint naval exercise in the East China Sea from December 21st to the 27th under the name Naval Interaction 2022.
“The main goal of the exercise is to strengthen naval cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China and to keep peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” said a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry.
During the “active component of the exercise,” participants will “practice joint anti-submarine tasks with the practical use of weapons” by firing missiles and artillery against air and sea targets, respectively.
In addition, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the participation of the “flagship of the Pacific Fleet of the Order of Nakhimov,” the guards missile cruiser Varyag, the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, and the corvettes of project 20380 Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov and Sovershennyy. Furthermore, two destroyers, two patrol ships, a multifunctional supply ship, and a diesel submarine will be sent by the People’s Liberation Army Navy of China.
Since 2012, the two nations have held the exercise annually.
