Russia, China Kicked Off Joint Naval Exercise

23.04.2012 Russia and China started the Maritime Cooperation 2012 joint naval exercise on Apr 22, reports press service of Russian Defense Ministry.

The purpose is to practice organization of joint defense and maintaining security in Asia-Pacific region. The maneuvers take place in the Yellow Sea off Shandong province, China.

The exercise will be held in two stages and finish on Apr 27. At the first stage, Russian and Chinese naval assets will train in bases. At the second stage, participants will carry out maneuvers in assigned areas, in particular, joint air defense and search-and-rescue drills.

According to Russian defense ministry, ships of the two countries will interact in Russian language.

Russia is represented by cruiser Varyag, destroyers Admiral Vinogradov, Marshal Shaposhnikov, and Admiral Tributs, salvage tug SB-522 and other supply vessels. Chinese media reported that four Russian warships would attend the exercise. China delegates two submarines and 16 warships.

Russia and China conduct joint naval exercises on a regular basis since 2005.