The China–Russia “Joint Sea” series of joint exercises is a regularised mechanism for maritime military cooperation between the Chinese and Russian navies within a bilateral framework. Since it was first held in 2012, it has become an important platform for the two navies to deepen practical cooperation and enhance their joint operational capabilities.

The ‘Joint Sea-2026’ naval exercise programme included submarine rescue, maritime strike operations, air defence and anti-missile operations. According to reports, the exercise effectively tested both sides’ capabilities in conducting joint reconnaissance, early warning, command and coordination, and firepower strikes within a complex electromagnetic environment.

The Russian contingent consisted primarily of units from the Pacific Fleet, comprising the missile cruiser Varyag (flagship of the Pacific Fleet, hull number 011), the frigate Lny (a new-generation Russian frigate, hull number 343), the large submarine Ufa (a Kilo-class diesel submarine) and the rescue vessel Igor Belousov (the Russian Navy’s main submarine rescue vessel).

The Chinese contingent, led by the Northern Theatre Command Navy, included the guided-missile destroyer Kaifeng (the Chinese command ship, an upgraded Type 052D, hull number 124), the Anshan (Type 055, hull number 103), the missile frigate Wuhu (Type 054A, hull number 539), the comprehensive replenishment ship Kokoxili Lake (Type 903A ocean-going comprehensive replenishment ship, hull number 903), the submarine rescue vessel Yangchenghu (Type 926 integrated submarine rescue vessel, hull number 847) and one submarine (model unknown). In addition, both China and Russia deployed ship-borne helicopters and marines to participate in the exercises.

The Chinese Navy is equipped with more advanced technology. For Russia, relations with China will directly impact the security and stability of the Russian Far East. The scope of the joint exercises has gradually expanded, shifting from an early focus on non-traditional security issues to joint multi-dimensional amphibious landings and submarine rescue operations. In 2025, the concept of ‘jointly addressing security threats in the Western Pacific’ was explicitly introduced for the first time, with exercise scenarios emphasising air defence, missile defence, anti-submarine warfare and submarine rescue operations; the warships deployed are also increasingly state-of-the-art.This signifies that maritime military cooperation between the two nations is deepening, and mutual trust is growing

China, Russia Conclude Live-Fire Maritime Drills of "Joint Sea-2026" Exercise(CCTV official video)