This week, naval forces from Russia, China, and Iran are engaged in a collaborative training exercise known as the “Maritime Security Belt.” Taking place in the Arabian Sea, the operations are centered around the port of Chah Bahar in the Gulf of Oman. The joint maneuvers, occurring from March 12 to March 15, feature the participation of ships and aircraft from the three nations. Notably, military representatives from Azerbaijan, India, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan, and South Africa are present as observers, emphasizing the multinational nature of the wargames.
“The practical part of the exercise will take place in the waters of the Arabian Sea, specifically the Gulf of Oman,” the Defense Ministry of Russia said in a statement on Monday. “The main purpose of the maneuvers is to ensure the safety of maritime economic activities.”
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Two ships of the Pacific Fleet, the Slava-class guided missile cruiser Varyag and the Udaloy-class frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, make up the Russian contingent at the exercise.
As per the Chinese Defense Ministry, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has deployed the guided-missile destroyer Urumqi, guided-missile frigate Linyi, and supply ship Dongpinghu for the ongoing joint exercise named “Maritime Security Belt.” The Iranian navy has contributed helicopters and a dozen vessels of varying sizes to the initiative.
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Originating in 2019 as a collaborative effort among Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran, the Maritime Security Belt exercise experienced China’s absence in 2021 but has seen consistent participation in each event since. Noteworthy activities during the 2023 maneuvers included synchronized sailing in formation by the three navies, conducting artillery tests both day and night, as well as simulations involving the rescue of hostages from a pirate-seized ship and assisting a distressed vessel.
The ongoing joint naval exercise is situated in proximity to the entrance of the Persian Gulf, a critical region from which a significant portion of global oil shipments originates. Simultaneously, off the coast of Yemen, on the opposite side of the Arabian Peninsula, the United States and its allies have deployed multiple warships. This deployment aims to prevent Houthi forces from disrupting maritime trade related to Israel. Despite these efforts, the endeavors have proven ineffective, as the Houthis have expanded their targets to include British and American merchant vessels.
This situation underscores the complexities and challenges faced in maintaining maritime security in strategically vital areas, with geopolitical tensions and the intersection of global trade routes contributing to the intricacy of the maritime landscape in this particular region.