(VOVWORLD) - China, Iran and Russia have begun a joint naval drill known as “Marine Security Belt 2024” in the Gulf of Oman, a crucial waterway near the mouth of the Persian Gulf, said the Russian Defense Ministry on Tuesday.
 Ships participating in the 'Maritime Security Belt 2024' exercise in the Gulf of Oman. (Photo: Anadolu Agency) |
China sent the guided-missile destroyer Urumqi and the guided-missile frigate Linyi to the exercise. Russia’s forces are being led by the Varyag, a Slava-class cruiser. The joint drill, hosted by the Iranian Navy, includes more than 20 ships, support vessels, and combat boats from the three countries, as well as naval helicopters.
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan, and South Africa are observers of the drill. The exercise, expected to end this Friday, is the fourth joint naval exercise by the three countries since 2019.