China and Russia conduct naval exercises Joint Sea-2016 to improve security

The Chinese and Russian navies on 19 September 2016 concluded Joint Sea-2016, eight days of naval exercises, in the South China Sea.

The Joint Sea-2016 was launched as a sign of growing cooperation between their armed forces against the backdrop of regional territorial disputes.

The exercises was conducted following a spike in tensions after Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague rejected China’s claims in the South China Sea and slammed it for causing environmental damage there.

Key highlights of Joint Sea-2016

• The Joint Sea-2016 included ships, submarines, ship-borne helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, along with marines and amphibious armoured vehicles who will conduct live-firing exercises.

• Tasks included defensive and rescue drills, anti-submarine exercises and the simulated seizure of an enemy island by marines from both sides.

• Compared with previous years, the 2016 drill focused more on confrontational capacity such as surface warships, submarines and land-based defences. Use of an advanced command system made communication between the two navies smoother.

• It was also the first time the China-Russia joint exercise had been held in the South China Sea.

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