‘Joint Sea-2026’ Exercise

About ‘Joint Sea-2026’ Exercise

• Joint Sea-2026  is an annual China-Russia bilateral naval exercise to strengthen cooperation in responding to maritime security challenges.
• Location: The exercise is being conducted in the waters and airspace near Qingdao in Shandong Province, East China.
• Theme (2026): The exercise is based on the theme “joint response to maritime security threats.”
• Aim: The exercise aims to demonstrate both navies’ capability and determination to jointly address maritime security challenges, safeguard regional and international peace and stability, and deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership.
• Frequency: The exercise is conducted on an annual rotating basis between China and Russia.
• Key Features:
  • Three-Phase Exercise: The exercise is conducted in three phases – force assembly, port planning and coordination, and at-sea operations.
    • Force Assembly: The first phase focuses on assembling the participating forces from both countries.
    • Port Planning and Coordination: This phase includes courtesy meetings, joint operational planning, professional seminars, ship visits, and friendly interaction activities.
    • At-Sea Operations: This phase includes joint reconnaissance, air and missile defence, and maritime strike operations.
  • Joint Maritime Patrol: After the exercise, both sides will conduct a joint maritime patrol in relevant areas of the Pacific Ocean.
  • Comprehensive Naval Participation: Both countries have deployed major naval assets, submarines, shipborne helicopters, and marine personnel for the exercise.
• Historical Background: The Joint Sea exercise began as symbolic bilateral drills in 2012 and has gradually developed into an annual operational framework.