Between March 11 and 15, the navies of China, Russia, and Iran will participate in a joint naval exercise in the northern Indian Ocean. Under the designation Security Belt 2025, the participating surface units will train in maritime target attacks, VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) operations, damage control and repair, and combined search and rescue operations. Other countries, including Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka, will attend as observers.
The primary objective of the joint exercise is to deepen trust and cooperation between the navies of China, Russia, and Iran in a region critical for maritime trade but characterized by significant insecurity. With this premise, the exercise will focus on regional security, promoting multilateral cooperation, and demonstrating the participants’ capabilities to “protect world peace,” ensure freedom of navigation, and foster a maritime community with a shared future.
This fifth edition of the joint naval exercise will take place until March 11 near the port of Chabahar in the Gulf of Oman, a key route between the Strait of Hormuz and the Indian Ocean. It will focus on training in unconventional security areas. The first of this series of exercises was held in 2019, while the most recent took place in March last year, demonstrating the three countries’ intent to continue strengthening their cooperation in a crucial trade region.
China’s Ministry of Defense also stated that the naval forces of the three countries will practice maneuvers to ensure the security of international maritime trade, combat piracy and terrorism, exchange information on maritime rescue operations, and share tactical and operational experiences.
Regarding the participating assets, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has deployed the Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Baotou (133) and the Type 903A replenishment ship Gaoyouhu (904), both part of the PLAN’s 47th escort group. These vessels previously participated in the multinational exercise AMAN 2025. The Russian Navy is represented by two corvettes, Rezky and Aldar Tsydenzhapov, along with the Pacific Fleet’s tanker Pechenega. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) of Iran will deploy two advanced ships: Shahid Nazeri and Shahid Sayyad Shirazi.
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