Tehran – Iran, Russia and China will implement a large-scale joint naval movement in the North Indian Ocean focusing on maritime security operations and strategic military coordination.
A drill named Security Belt-2025 will take place in early and mid-March near Chabahar Port southeast of Iran, involving various branches of the three countries’ navy.
China’s Ministry of Defense announced the exercise on Sunday via its official Weibo account, detailing that the drills include multiple training operations, including maritime target strikes, VBS (visit, board, search, seizures), damage control, joint search and rescue missions.
According to the ministry, the main goal of the Security Belt-2025 is to strengthen military trust and strengthen practical cooperation among participating forces. China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) navy will deploy destroyers and refill vessels for the campaign.
Chinese military analysts emphasized that the drill will contribute to protecting security in strategically important regions.
Security Belt-2025 marks the fifth joint naval movement of Iran, China and Russia since 2019. Over the past few years, three countries have conducted multiple military training to enhance the region’s maritime stability and protection international trade routes.
In addition to countering copyright infringement and maritime terrorism, these exercises promoted the sharing of intelligence regarding naval rescue operations and exchange of tactical and operational expertise.
In March 2024, the Iranian Navy joined the Maritime Security Belt-2024 Drill along with Chinese and Russian navy and air units. Observers from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan and South Africa attended the exercise, reflecting growing interest in multilateral maritime cooperation.
The joint operations were designed to enhance maritime security, enhance international trade protection, combat copyright infringement, and enhance naval operational coordination. The drill also served as a demonstration of participants’ collective commitment to global peace and stability at the ocean.
As part of the upcoming exercise, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Navy (IRGCN) will deploy two advanced ships: Shahid nazeri and Shahid Sayyad Shirazi.
Commissioned to the IRGC Navy in September 2016, Shahid Nazeri is a high-speed patrol and reconnaissance vessel designed for expanded operational reach. The 55m long, 14m wide and 13m high container significantly improves the IRGCN’s marine capacity and extends its operational range up to 10,000km.
Shahid Nazeri features a special twin hull (Swass – Small Surface Area Twin hull) design that enhances high-speed work and stability in rough seas. Its design ensures that it remains stable even at high speeds, reducing the risk of capsizing.
Ships equipped with helicopter landing pads can carry out surveillance and reconnaissance missions in a variety of maritime zones, making them valuable assets for intelligence newsletters and patrol operations.
Shahid Sayyad Shirazi is a newly commissioned stealth warship of the Shahid Soleimani class and will formally join the IRGC Navy in February 2024.
The Shahid Sayyad Shirazi is equipped with a wide range of offensive and defensive missile systems, with vertically launched Nawab air defense missiles and Sayyad Cruise missiles in a strike range of 700 km.
With a displacement of 67 meters long, 20 meters wide and 600 tons, the container is equipped with four engines, allowing for long-distance operation. It has an operating range of 5,500 nautical miles and can carry three fast-fired missile attack boats and armed combat helicopters.