1. Title
Russia-China Naval Drill: Ocean-24 (Pacific Patrol-2024)
2. Overview
In a demonstration of growing military cooperation, Russia and China conducted the “Pacific Patrol-2024” (Ocean-24) naval exercise from September 10 to 16, 2024. Led by Russia’s Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, this drill marked the largest bilateral military exercise between the two nations in the past 30 years, underscoring their strategic partnership and commitment to enhancing defense capabilities.
3. Exercise Scope and Locations
The Ocean-24 drill spanned multiple key maritime zones, including the Pacific, Arctic, Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic Seas. This multi-theater exercise emphasized the ability to operate across diverse environments, showcasing both countries’ readiness to respond to global security challenges.
4. Participating Forces
The exercise featured naval forces from both Russia and China, demonstrating their expanding military partnership. The drill showcased their combined operational strengths and ability to coordinate on a large scale.
5. Strategic Objectives
According to Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, the primary objectives of the Ocean-24 drills included:
- Defending against large-scale maritime attacks, with a focus on safeguarding naval bases and strategic installations.
- Neutralizing threats posed by unmanned vessels and aerial drones.
- Conducting amphibious operations, demonstrating the ability to execute coordinated sea-to-land landings.
- Ensuring the security of transport ships and critical sea lanes.
6. Key Activities and Maneuvers
The exercise included a range of high-intensity maneuvers, such as:
- Firing exercises with live ammunition to enhance combat readiness.
- Anti-submarine and anti-aircraft drills for layered defense against underwater and aerial threats.
- Mine warfare operations and mine countermeasures to secure safe passage.
- Amphibious landings to showcase power projection capabilities.
7. Strategic Importance
The Ocean-24 drill served to strengthen the naval cooperation between Russia and China, signaling a united front in bolstering peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The exercise also highlighted their commitment to addressing emerging maritime security challenges.
8. Historical Context and Preceding Drills
This drill follows a series of joint military exercises, such as the 2022 nuclear-capable bomber flights and the 2022 drills that involved over 2,000 Chinese troops. These exercises have progressively increased the operational and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
9. Russia-China Military Alliance Prospects
While there has been speculation about the potential formation of a formal military alliance, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov clarified that the drills are aimed at enhancing military coordination rather than establishing a NATO-style alliance. The focus remains on improving interoperability and strategic collaboration.
10. Warships and Equipment Deployed
China’s Assets:
- Type 052D destroyer Nanning
- Type 054A frigates Xianning and Dali
- Supply ship Weishanhu
- Navy destroyers Xining and Wuxi
- Frigate Linyi
- Integrated supply ship Taihu
- Shipborne helicopters and marines
Russia’s Assets:
- Corvettes Gromkiy and Rezkiy
- Irkut oiler
- Anti-submarine ships Admiral Panteleyev and Admiral Tributs
- Small anti-submarine ships MPK-82 and MPK-107
- Long-range anti-submarine aircraft (Tu-142, Il-38, Il-38N)
- Missile ship Smerch
- Cruiser Varyag and 15 other warships
11. Strategic Implications
The Russia-China drill directly countered U.S. influence in the Pacific region, especially in response to the 2024 deployment of intermediate-range missile systems in the Philippines. This deployment, a consequence of the U.S. withdrawal from the INF Treaty, raised tensions and highlighted the growing strategic rivalry between the U.S. and these two military powers.
12. Regional Responses and Reactions
In response to the Russia-China drill, Australia and the Philippines, alongside Japan, New Zealand, and the United States, announced a joint maritime exercise in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Australia’s Department of Defence emphasized its commitment to upholding international maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.
13. Conclusion
The Ocean-24 naval drill underscores the increasing military cooperation between Russia and China, signaling a shift in global military dynamics. With plans to make such exercises an annual event, the Russia-China partnership appears poised to strengthen further, potentially challenging U.S. dominance in the Pacific and reshaping the security architecture of the region.