Russian warships, led by the Guard missile cruiser Varyag, arrived near the Iranian port of Chehbahar to participate in the joint naval exercises Maritime Security Belt 2024. The arrival was confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense and reported by TASS. The presence of the Varyag and accompanying ships underscores the expanding scale of naval collaboration in the region, with official statements highlighting coordination among participating fleets and observers from allied nations. (attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense/TASS)
The drills will feature ships, boats, and naval aviation from the Iranian and Chinese navies. In addition, observers from Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Oman, India, and South Africa are expected to monitor the exercises, indicating a broad international interest in maritime security in and around the Gulf region. (attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense)
Officials described the primary objective as ensuring the security of maritime economic activities, including safe passage for commercial shipping and uninterrupted offshore operations. The exercises are planned to take place in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, where demonstrated interoperability and rapid response capabilities can support regional stability. (attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense)
On the previous day, the Pacific Fleet flagship Varyag conducted air-defense drills against a simulated enemy fighter during exercises in the Arabian Sea, with targets engaged in electronic mock scenarios. This activity highlighted the fleet’s readiness and the ability to coordinate multi-domain defenses across air, sea, and electronic warfare environments. (attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense)
Earlier in the exercises, the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov neutralized piracy threats in the Arabian Sea, illustrating a practical role for naval forces in maritime security operations and counter-piracy efforts that support safe commercial routes. (attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense)