The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that a trilateral naval exercise, Marine Security Belt-2023, commenced on March 15 in the waters of the Arabian Sea. The maneuver brought together forces from the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The official outline confirmed that the operation was staged with close coordination among naval assets from the three nations, demonstrating a shared commitment to maritime security in a region that sees high traffic and strategic significance for international shipping. This opening phase marked the start of a period focused on synchronized planning and practical sea actions, with observers noting the scale and tempo of the exercise as a clear signal of interoperability among the participating fleets [attribution: Russian Defense Ministry].
According to reports, the joint effort involved a broad set of units and platforms. The exercise included the participation of the Russian Fleet Task Group, the People’s Liberation Army Navy of China, and the Iranian Naval Forces. The alliance underscores a common approach to counter threats at sea, including nonstate actor activities, piracy, and illicit maritime trade. The presence of Russian ships alongside Chinese and Iranian units highlighted a diversified formation capable of operating in complex sea conditions and under varied command structures. Observers emphasized the emphasis on coordinated navigation, seamanship, and tactical decision-making designed to build trust among the three nations [attribution: defense ministry statements and official briefings].
As part of the unfolding program, a unit from Russia contributed to the exercise using ships from the Northern Fleet. This included a task group around the Admiral Gorshkov frigate and support from a medium sea tanker, reflecting Russia’s contribution to aerial and surface coordination during the drills. The deployment illustrated the logistical and operational capacities that can be mobilized quickly in multilateral naval activities, showcasing refinement in fleet movements, refueling procedures, and integrated communications across disparate national systems [attribution: Russian military press releases].
The ministry outlined the first phase as a sequence of drawing sections, briefings, and tactical discussions focused on practical actions at sea. The planned maritime phase was set to continue over March 16 and 17, with a formal summary of results anticipated on March 18. The structured timeline demonstrated an emphasis on orderly progression from planning to execution and evaluation, ensuring that lessons learned are captured and disseminated among all participants [attribution: official ministry briefings].
Earlier reports from RIA Novosti, citing the Chinese Ministry of Defense, indicated that the joint naval exercise would run from March 15 to March 19 in the Gulf of Oman. The coordination highlighted the importance of maintaining open lines of communication and standardized procedures to minimize risk while maximizing the effectiveness of combined operations. Analysts noted that such exercises can serve as a practical platform for maritime diplomacy, reinforcing strategic dialogue and interoperability among the three nations in a volatile regional environment [attribution: RIA Novosti and defense ministry briefings].