Russia, China initiate drills on aircraft carrier at Vostok-2022

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Sep 2022 21:35

Warships of the Russian Navy and the Chinese Navy perform drills in the central part of the Sea of Japan as part of the Vostok-2022 strategic command and staff exercises.

Russia, China initiate drills on aircraft carrier groups at Vostok2022

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin told a news briefing for foreign military attachés on Friday that Russia and China have practiced joint operations by warships and aircraft during the Vostok-2022 strategic command and staff exercise.

He stressed that "the joint use of aircraft and warships by Russia and China was the main feature of the exercise."

Russian and Chinese warships repulsed an air raid by "enemy" aircraft at Exercise "Vostok-2022". pic.twitter.com/dtRgFafQKB
— Massimo Frantarelli (@MrFrantarelli) September 5, 2022

Fomin said that within the framework of the drills "massive fire strikes and defensive and offensive operations against overland forces and aircraft carrier-led strike groups of a mock enemy" were practiced.

In the central part of the Sea of Japan, the drills involved the search for and defeat of enemy naval groups, as well as the search for and destruction of enemy submarines, measures to organize all types of defense of a joint group of warships, the repulsion of enemy air attacks, and the defeat of an amphibious landing force during a sea voyage.

Fomin also said the use of a coalition group of troops was tested during the exercises.

"The exercise was conducted in two stages. First, the trainees clarified the decision to use troops in a strategic operation, set tasks, and developed the operation’s plan and related documents. At the second stage, they practiced the command and control of troops in the course of repelling aggression against Russia and using a coalition group for restoring the territorial integrity of the state," he said.

In August of last year, Russia and China conducted joint military exercises in north-central China which included over 10,000 troops. Sergei Shoigu, Russia's Defense Minister, hailed the Sibu/Cooperation-2021 drills in China's Ningxia and suggested they be expanded.

Russia and China conducted joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan in October. After a few days, Russian and Chinese warships conducted their first joint patrols in the western Pacific.

Shortly before the war in Ukraine, Beijing and Moscow announced a "no limits" partnership, despite the US failed attempts to push China to join US-led sanctions against Russia right after the start of the war.

It is worth noting that the eastern military district of Russia includes a portion of Siberia and is headquartered in Khabarovsk, near the Chinese border.