Iran, China, Russia will kick off 'Security Belt 2025' naval exercise on Monday

Iran, China, Russia will kick off 'Security Belt 2025' naval exercise on Monday

Iran, Russia, and China are set to launch this year's 'Security Belt' exercise during which the Navies of the three countries conduct joint drills in the northern Indian Ocean.

The Navies of Iran, China and Russia will kick off joint drills in the northern Indian Ocean with the aim of promoting security in the area and enhancing trilateral naval cooperation.

The exercise, codenamed “Security Belt 2025,” will kick off on Monday, the media office for Iran’s military drills said in a report.

It said observers from the Azerbaijan Republic, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the UAE, and Sri Lanka will monitor the exercise.

Vessels from the Iranian Navy and the Naval Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) will take part in the drills that mark the seventh edition of “Security Belt” exercises by Iran, Russia and China, according to the report.

Earlier on Sunday, China’s official news agency Xinhua, citing the Ministry of National Defense in Beijing, said that the joint exercise will take place in areas near Iran’s Chabahar Port.  

The Chinese fleet includes a destroyer and a supply ship, Xinhua said, adding that the exercise plan includes drills on striking maritime targets, damage control, as well as joint search and rescue.

According to the Chinese defense ministry, as cited by the news agency, “the aim is to strengthen military mutual trust and foster pragmatic cooperation among the naval forces of the participating countries.