The PLA Navy reported that the closing ceremony for the Northern/Interaction-2024 exercise was held aboard the Chinese destroyer Xining at the joint operation headquarters last Friday. The drills focused on joint maritime defense, improving both forces' abilities to handle complex, realistic scenarios.
Training activities included sea-air escort, alert defense, anti-aircraft operations, and fire strike exercises. The PLA Navy stated that the combat-oriented drills achieved their intended objectives.
Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, revealed that the exercise, which began on September 10, involved over 10 warships and more than 30 aircraft from both countries. He noted that the drills tested tactical command coordination and joint operation capabilities, strengthening strategic cooperation between the two militaries and contributing to regional peace and stability.
Following the exercise, Zhang Xiaogang announced that a joint China-Russia warship flotilla would conduct a maritime patrol in Pacific waters.
The two navies previously held their fourth joint maritime patrol in July 2024, with earlier patrols conducted in October 2021, September 2022, and July 2023.
