China and Russia Conclude Joint Naval Drills, Prepare for Western Pacific Patrol

The Joint Sea-2025 naval drills, a collaborative effort between China and Russia, concluded near Vladivostok, Russia, after five days of intensive exercises. The drills, which took place from August 1st to 5th, 2025, involved a mixed formation of Chinese and Russian warships. Following the drills, the two navies prepared to conduct a joint maritime patrol in the Western Pacific.

The exercises were divided into two phases. The initial phase, held at the harbor, involved tactical discussions, professional exchanges, military visits, and deck receptions. The sea phase, which commenced on Sunday, saw the warship formations engaging in multi-course training exercises. These exercises encompassed joint air defense, joint naval warfare, joint anti-submarine operations, and anchorage defense.

A notable aspect of the drills was the inclusion of a submarine rescue training session. The PLA Navy's comprehensive rescue ship, the Xihu, made its international debut in this exercise. During the session, a Russian submarine, simulating a distress situation, sent a rescue request. The Xihu, utilizing its sonar and underwater television systems, located the submarine and deployed a deep-submergence rescue vehicle. The vehicle successfully docked with the simulated distressed submarine and returned to the surface, completing the rescue mission.

The Xihu, commissioned in early 2025, is the PLA Navy's latest comprehensive rescue ship. The commanding officer noted that the training results surpassed expectations, with the rescue mission completed faster than anticipated. The involvement of actual submarines in the exercises highlighted the deepening military ties between China and Russia, particularly given the classified nature of submarine data.

The theme of the exercises was "jointly safeguarding strategic maritime routes" and "jointly countering security threats in the Western Pacific." The joint maritime patrol in the Western Pacific, following the drills, demonstrated the two navies' capabilities and their commitment to regional peace and stability. The exercises were not directed against any third party but aimed to enhance the defensive combat capabilities of both countries and safeguard their sovereignty, security, and development interests.