China and Russia Launch Maritime Joint-2026 Naval Exercise Near Qingdao
China and Russia have commenced the “Maritime Joint-2026” naval exercise in the sea and airspace near Qingdao, Shandong Province, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced on July 5. The drills, which bring together surface combatants, submarines, support vessels, and naval infantry from both nations, will be followed by a joint maritime patrol in the Pacific Ocean. The exercise is part of the annual cooperation plan between the two militaries and represents the latest iteration of a partnership that has steadily deepened since the series began in 2012.
Background and Context
The “Maritime Joint” series, which started in 2012, has become a cornerstone of China-Russia military-to-military relations. Held annually with few exceptions, the exercises have rotated between Chinese and Russian waters, progressively expanding in scope and complexity. Last year’s “Maritime Joint-2025” was conducted near Vladivostok, Russia, in August 2025, followed by a joint patrol in the Western Pacific involving Chinese and Russian surface ships and helicopters.
The announcement comes just one week after China and Russia conducted their 11th joint air strategic patrol on June 27, 2026, over the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, and Western Pacific — a mission that saw the Y-20 tanker aircraft participate for the first time, according to Guancha.cn. This rapid succession of joint operations signals an intensification of bilateral military coordination in mid-2026.
Participating Forces and Exercise Structure
The Russian Navy task force, led by the guided-missile cruiser Varyag, arrived at a Qingdao naval port on the morning of July 5, where a welcome ceremony was held. According to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, all participating forces from both sides have now fully assembled.
Russian participants include the frigate Linglie, the large submarine Ufa, the rescue ship Igor Belousov, along with ship-based helicopters and naval infantry. The Chinese contingent comprises the guided-missile destroyers Kaifeng and Anshan, the guided-missile frigate Wuhu, the comprehensive supply ship Kekexili Lake, the submarine rescue ship Yangcheng Lake, one submarine, and supporting aircraft and marines.
The exercise is structured around the theme “Joint Response to Maritime Security Threats” and is divided into three phases: force assembly, port planning, and maritime drills. During the port phase, personnel will engage in joint planning sessions, professional exchanges, mutual ship visits, and a basketball friendship match. The maritime phase will focus on joint reconnaissance, air defense and anti-missile drills, and surface strike training, as reported by China News Service.
Post-Exercise Patrol and Strategic Significance
Following the completion of the maritime drills, select naval forces from both countries will proceed to relevant waters of the Pacific Ocean for a joint maritime patrol. Since 2021, China and Russia have conducted annual joint maritime patrols in the Western Pacific, with the scope of these operations expanding over time. In August 2025, the two navies conducted their first-ever joint underwater patrol in the Asia-Pacific region, according to Lianhe Zaobao.
The exercise takes place against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical competition in the Asia-Pacific. The deepening China-Russia military partnership is widely viewed as a counterbalance to U.S.-led alliances in the region, including ongoing U.S.-Japan military cooperation and NATO exercises near Russia’s borders. The Chinese Defense Ministry has framed the exercise in defensive terms, stating it aims to “jointly address security challenges and maintain regional peace and stability.”
Analysis and Implications
The institutionalization of the “Maritime Joint” series reflects the maturation of China-Russia defense ties, which have deepened significantly since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. The inclusion of submarines, multiple surface combatant types, and specialized support vessels demonstrates a multi-dimensional, combined-arms approach to bilateral naval operations.
The timing is particularly notable: with the exercise following just days after the 11th joint air patrol, Beijing and Moscow are signaling a sustained, year-round rhythm of military cooperation rather than isolated annual events. This is likely to draw close attention from Japan, South Korea, and the United States, all of which maintain significant military assets in the region.
What to Watch For
Specific dates for the maritime drills and the subsequent Pacific patrol have not been disclosed. Analysts will be watching whether the joint patrol extends into the Western Pacific as in previous years, and how regional actors — particularly the United States and its allies — respond to this latest demonstration of the China-Russia strategic partnership.