QINGDAO (Realist English). A task force of Russia’s Pacific Fleet arrived at the Chinese naval base in Qingdao on Sunday to participate in the joint Russia–China “Maritime Interaction-2026” naval exercise.
The Chinese side held a formal welcoming ceremony at the pier. The drills, scheduled to take place in the Yellow Sea from July 6 to 13, are part of the annual military cooperation plan between the armed forces of the two countries.
Participating Forces
The Russian naval group includes:
- Varyag guided missile cruiser (Project 1164 Atlant), often referred to as an “aircraft carrier killer”;
- Rezky corvette (Project 20380);
- Ufa diesel-electric submarine (Project 636.3 Kilo-class);
- Igor Belousov rescue vessel (Project 21300S).
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has deployed:
- Anshan and Kaifeng destroyers;
- Wuhu frigate;
- a Type 039A Yuan-class submarine;
- Kekesilihu comprehensive replenishment ship;
- Yanchenghu rescue vessel.
Both sides are also deploying naval helicopters and marine infantry units.
Exercise Program
The exercise will take place in the Yellow Sea from July 6 to 13 and consists of three phases: force assembly, shore-based planning, and sea operations. The stated theme of the drills is “joint response to maritime security threats.”
During the active phase, participating forces will rehearse:
- joint search-and-rescue operations;
- anti-submarine warfare;
- air defense missions;
- coordinated naval artillery live-fire exercises;
- joint reconnaissance as well as combined naval missile and aviation strike operations.
Professional exchanges and reciprocal visits aboard participating warships are also planned.
Joint Pacific Patrols
Following the conclusion of the exercise, elements from both navies will conduct joint maritime patrols in the Pacific Ocean.
China’s Ministry of National Defense said the operations are intended to strengthen joint responses to security challenges while helping maintain regional peace and stability.
According to the Times of India, the transition from exercises to operational patrols in the Pacific has generated “significant concern” in the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
Expanding Strategic Military Cooperation
Maritime Interaction-2026 underscores the deepening military partnership between Russia and China.
The scale of the exercise—featuring surface combatants, submarines, aircraft, and marine forces—followed by joint Pacific patrols, highlights the two countries’ growing coordinated military presence across the Indo-Pacific region.
