China-Russia ‘Maritime Joint-2026’ Naval Exercise Concludes
China and Russia have officially concluded the “Maritime Joint-2026” joint naval exercise, an eight-day drill held off the coast of Qingdao in China’s Shandong Province that marked a significant milestone in bilateral military cooperation. The exercise, which ran from July 6 to July 13, featured the first-ever joint appearance of Chinese and Russian submarines at sea, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Exercise Overview
The 12th iteration of the “Joint Sea” series since its inception in 2012, the exercise was conducted under the theme of “jointly countering maritime security threats.” A total of ten vessels from both navies participated, including surface combatants, submarines, aerial units, and support elements. The Ministry of National Defense confirmed that all planned missions were completed successfully.
Key Chinese vessels included the Type 055 guided-missile destroyer Anshan — one of China’s most advanced surface combatants — and the Type 052D destroyer Kaifeng, along with an improved Type 039B conventional submarine. Russia deployed the Slava-class guided-missile cruiser Varyag, flagship of the Pacific Fleet, and the improved Kilo-class submarine Ufa, as reported by China Military.
Phases of the Exercise
The exercise unfolded in three phases. During the harbor planning phase at Qingdao military port, personnel from both navies conducted tabletop simulations, professional seminars, vessel tours, and cultural exchanges including basketball matches and receptions. The at-sea phase, which began on July 9, saw the combined force execute live-fire and live-force drills covering joint reconnaissance, anti-air and anti-missile defense, anti-surface strikes, and joint submarine rescue operations.
“The joint exercise fully simulates real maritime and aerial combat environments with a strong combat-oriented focus,” the Chinese chief director of the exercise told Xinhua. “Through the exercise, the two militaries further deepen strategic mutual trust, consolidate long-standing friendship, and raise their capacity to jointly handle maritime crises.”
Historic Submarine Cooperation
A landmark moment came on July 10, when Chinese and Russian submarines appeared together at sea for the first time in the exercise’s history. CCTV footage released on July 11 showed the Type 039B and Kilo-class submarines sailing in formation alongside the destroyer Anshan and cruiser Varyag.
Chinese military affairs expert Wang Yunfei told the Global Times via China Military that this development reflects an extraordinary level of mutual trust between the two nations. “Submarines operating together is rare worldwide. Submarines are inherently stealthy by nature, and their acoustic signatures are highly classified by each country,” Wang said. “If two submarines appear together, it means they are operating at close range, and their acoustic signatures could be exposed to each other. This reflects a level of mutual trust that goes beyond the ordinary.”
Transition to Pacific Patrols
Following the conclusion ceremony on July 13, some participating forces from both navies immediately set sail for the Pacific Ocean to conduct joint maritime patrols, extending operational coordination beyond the exercise area. Zheng Hong, a researcher with the Naval Research Academy, noted that the “Joint Sea” series has become “an important platform for deep cooperation and mutual development between the two navies” with “important practical significance for maintaining regional peace and stability.”
Geopolitical Context
The exercise unfolded against a backdrop of heightened strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific. On the same day the drill launched, China conducted a strategic missile test from a nuclear submarine into the Pacific Ocean — a move criticized by Australia, Japan, and New Zealand as “destabilizing.” The drill also followed joint China-Russia bomber flights near Japan and South Korea in late June.
Defense analyst Mark Goldstein, quoted by the Daily Caller, suggested the exercises are partly a response to larger US-led drills such as RIMPAC, which take place in Hawaii. The US and its allies continue to conduct significantly larger naval exercises in the region.
Analysis and Outlook
The 2026 exercise demonstrates that China-Russia military cooperation has become deeply institutionalized, evolving from basic maneuvers two decades ago into complex multi-domain operations involving submarines, advanced surface combatants, and integrated command structures. The unprecedented submarine cooperation signals a willingness to share sensitive operational data that most nations guard closely.
Looking ahead, the transition from exercise to Pacific patrols suggests both nations are moving toward sustained, combined naval presence in strategic waterways. This development is likely to accelerate defense cooperation among US allies in the region, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia, who have expressed growing concern about coordinated China-Russia military activity near their waters.
As the “Joint Sea” series enters its second decade, the question is no longer whether China and Russia can operate together, but how far they will take their partnership — and how the broader Indo-Pacific security architecture will adapt.