China and Russia schedule joint naval drills off China's coast amid submarine missile test

China and Russia will hold a coordinated naval exercise off the Chinese mainland later this week, a development that comes as Beijing tests a new submarine‑launched ballistic missile in the South Pacific. The drills, described as the latest iteration of a regular “Joint Sea” series, involve surface vessels, submarines and aviation assets from both navies and are slated to take place in waters near the East China Sea.

Core developments

According to Reuters, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and the Russian Navy will begin the exercise on Thursday, with operations expected to run for several days. The two forces will conduct “joint maneuvering, anti‑submarine warfare and live‑fire drills,” the agency reported, underscoring the breadth of the training.

U.S. News & World Report echoed the Reuters briefing, noting that the drills are part of an annual schedule that began in 2003 and have grown in complexity over time. The report highlighted that the exercise will feature a mix of destroyers, frigates and support ships, as well as maritime patrol aircraft from both sides.

Al Jazeera placed the event in a broader geopolitical context, describing the drills as “a clear signal of deepening military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow.” The outlet added that the timing coincides with heightened tensions in the Indo‑Pacific, where the United States and its allies have stepped up freedom‑of‑navigation operations.

Nikkei Asia quoted a Chinese defence spokesperson who said the drills are “a normal part of the two countries’ long‑standing naval cooperation” and that they serve to “enhance mutual trust and improve joint response capabilities.” The statement did not mention any specific operational objectives beyond routine training.

In a related development, The Defense Post reported that the same week Beijing conducted a test‑launch of a new submarine‑launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a nuclear‑powered submarine operating in the South Pacific. The missile, described as a “new generation” system, reportedly completed a successful flight trajectory, marking the first such test since 2022.

The Economic Times provided technical details on the SLBM test, noting that the launch platform was a Type 094 (Jin‑class) submarine and that the missile travelled several thousand kilometres before re‑entering the atmosphere over a designated impact zone. The agency said the successful test demonstrates “China’s growing capability to project strategic deterrence from under the sea.”

Why it matters

The joint drills and the missile test together signal a sharpening of the strategic partnership between Beijing and Moscow. By conducting large‑scale naval exercises near contested waters, the two powers are showcasing interoperability that could complicate U.S. and allied operational planning in the region.

Analysts cited by Al Jazeera argue that the timing is deliberate. With the United States planning a new carrier strike group deployment to the Western Pacific later in the month, the China‑Russia drills serve as a reminder that the two nations can field coordinated maritime forces capable of contesting sea lanes.

From a weapons‑development perspective, the SLBM test underscores China’s progress in diversifying its nuclear triad. Submarine‑based missiles are harder to detect and track, adding a survivable leg to Beijing’s deterrent. The Economic Times noted that the test “enhances the credibility of China’s second‑strike capability,” a point that may influence regional arms‑control calculations.

For Russia, participation in the drills offers an opportunity to maintain a naval presence in the Western Pacific without deploying its own carrier groups, which have been constrained by budgetary pressures. The exercise also allows Russian crews to train alongside a navy that has invested heavily in modern surface combatants and anti‑submarine warfare platforms.

Differing viewpoints and reactions

Chinese officials framed the activities as routine and defensive. The PLAN spokesperson, quoted by Nikkei Asia, emphasized that “the exercises are purely for mutual learning and do not target any third party.”

Russian defence ministry statements, referenced by Reuters, highlighted the “strengthening of joint operational capabilities” and portrayed the drills as part of a “broader strategic partnership” that extends beyond the military sphere.

In Washington, the State Department issued a statement expressing “concern” over the “escalatory nature of the drills” and urged both countries to “avoid actions that could increase regional tensions.” The U.S. response, reported by U.S. News & World Report, echoed long‑standing concerns about freedom of navigation and the potential for miscalculation.

Regional think‑tanks, cited by Al Jazeera, warned that the convergence of large‑scale exercises and missile testing could raise the risk of accidental incidents, especially in heavily trafficked sea lanes near the Taiwan Strait and the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands.

What’s next

The drills are scheduled to conclude by the end of the week, after which both navies are expected to issue after‑action reports. Observers anticipate that the outcomes will be discussed at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where China and Russia are likely to reaffirm their security cooperation.

U.S. naval assets are slated to conduct freedom‑of‑navigation operations in the South China Sea later this month, a move that could intersect with post‑drill debriefings and further test the resilience of the China‑Russia partnership.

Meanwhile, Chinese military analysts are expected to publish technical assessments of the SLBM test, shedding light on range, accuracy and potential deployment timelines. The data could inform future arms‑control dialogues, particularly with regard to submarine‑based strategic weapons.

Finally, both Beijing and Moscow have indicated that the “Joint Sea” series will continue annually, suggesting that future exercises may expand to include additional platforms such as unmanned surface vessels and cyber‑electronic warfare units, according to The Defense Post. The evolution of these drills will remain a key barometer for the balance of power in the Indo‑Pacific.