Iran, Russia, and China to conduct joint naval drills: Beijing
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Iran, Russia, and China will conduct the Security Belt-2025 joint naval exercise in the northern Indian Ocean, focusing on maritime operations, military cooperation, and enhancing security in the vital energy shipping region.
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Iran’s domestically designed and manufactured Dena destroyer participates in the Maritime Security Belt 2024 naval drills in the northern tip of the Indian Ocean on March 9, 2025. (Social Media)
Iran, Russia, and China are set to conduct a joint naval exercise in the northern Indian Ocean, focusing on large-scale maritime operations across multiple military divisions.
China’s Defense Ministry announced on Sunday via Weibo that the drill, named Security Belt-2025, will take place near Iran’s southeastern Chabahar Port in early to mid-March.
The exercise will include maritime target strikes, visit-board-search-and-seizure (VBSS) drills, damage control, and joint search-and-rescue operations. According to the ministry, the goal is to strengthen military trust and enhance practical cooperation between the participating forces.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army's (PLA) Navy is expected to deploy a destroyer and a replenishment ship for the joint exercise.
A Chinese military expert highlighted that the drill aims to bolster security in the strategically vital energy shipping region. Security Belt-2025 marks the fifth naval exercise between China, Iran, and Russia since 2019.
Over the years, their naval forces have conducted multiple drills to reinforce maritime security and stability in international trade routes.
The three countries have also collaborated on efforts to combat piracy and maritime terrorism, exchanging intelligence on naval rescue operations, relief missions, and sharing operational and tactical knowledge.
Last year, the 2024 Marine Security Belt naval exercise kicked off on March 12, with the Chinese, Iranian, and Russian navies engaging in joint drills in the Gulf of Oman.
