The active phase of the Naval Cooperation 2015 joint drills between the Russian and Chinese Navies ended on May 21. The drills kicked off on May 17 in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. The crews involved completed a wide range of tasks – from maneuvering to anti-submarine and radio-electronic warfare.
On May 21, the culmination stage of the exercises began. The drills ended with artillery firing and firing depth bombs at underwater targets.
Above: A tactical briefing during the Sino-Russian joint drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Above: A tactical briefing during the Sino-Russian joint drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Naval Cooperation 2015 exercises involved nine vessels, including twp Chinese frigate-class warships and a Russian guided missile carrier from the Black Sea Fleet.
Above: Russian and Chinese warships during the Naval Cooperation 2015 joint drills in the Mediterranean Sea. China's replenishment vessel Wei Shanhu (887) is in the foreground.
Above: Russian and Chinese warships during the Naval Cooperation 2015 joint drills in the Mediterranean Sea. China's replenishment vessel Wei Shanhu (887) is in the foreground.
The staff of the joint Russian-Chinese grouping in the sea was located at the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, the Moskva (the Russian name for Moscow) guided missile cruiser.
Above: Chemical defense exercises at the Moskva guided missile cruiser during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Above: Chemical defense exercises at the Moskva guided missile cruiser during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Along with the Moskva, the Russian Navy sent the Krivak-class missile frigate Ladny, Project 775 Large Landing Ships (LLS) Alexander Otrakovsky and Alexander Shabalin, and Navy Tug MB-31 to the drills.
Above: Russia’s hover borne guided missile corvette Samum during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Above: Russia’s hover borne guided missile corvette Samum during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Chinese were represented by a pair of 4,000-ton Type 54A Jiangkai II frigates – Linyi (574) and Weifang (547) and Wei Shanhu, a Chinese Naval replenishment ship.
Above: Chemical defense exercises at the Moskva guided missile cruiser during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Above: Chemical defense exercises at the Moskva guided missile cruiser during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Before the active phase of the exercises began the joint command staff examined the situation in the region and adjusted the communication network between the ships and the headquarters.
Above: A tactical briefing during the Sino-Russian joint drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Above: A tactical briefing during the Sino-Russian joint drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
During the drills, crews of Russian and Chinese warships exercised measures for radioactive, chemical and biological protection. The two navies also completed anti-submarine and anti-aircraft training. In addition, they completed maneuvering and anti-piracy drills.
Above: The Moskva guided missile cruiser during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Above: The Moskva guided missile cruiser during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
According to representatives of the Russian Naval Forces, it was China that proposed to conduct drills in the Mediterranean Sea. For China, it is a good opportunity to test the capabilities of its modernized navy. However, organizers have persistently said the exercises are not targeted against a third party and not connected to the situation in the region.
Above: Chemical defense exercises at the Moskva guided missile cruiser during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Above: Chemical defense exercises at the Moskva guided missile cruiser during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Mediterranean Squadron of the Russian Navy has operated in the region for several years. Meanwhile, the Chinese fleet did not hold any drills so far from home until 2015.
Above: Chemical defense exercises at the Moskva guided missile cruiser during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Above: Chemical defense exercises at the Moskva guided missile cruiser during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Russia and China have staged joint naval drills in the Pacific Ocean since 2012. The Naval Cooperation 2015 is their first exercise in the Mediterranean.
Above: The Wei Shanhu, a Chinese Naval replenishment ship, during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Above: The Wei Shanhu, a Chinese Naval replenishment ship, during the Russian-Chinese drills Naval Cooperation 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.
