Russia Holds The Largest Naval Exercise Since The Soviet Era, President Putin: This Is Very Important

Russian and Chinese naval exercises. (Source: Russian Ministry of Defense)

JAKARTA - President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday warned the United States not to try to outperform Moscow in Asia, when Russian and Chinese warships held joint exercises as part of the largest Russian naval exercise since the Soviet era.

President Putin said the extended "Ocean-2024" strategic exercise would be carried out from the Mediterranean to the Pacific, testing unitary combat readiness and the use of high-precision weapons, including a promising new strain.

This exercise will also combine lessons learned from Russia's "special military operations" in Ukraine.

"We pay special attention to strengthening military cooperation with friendly countries," he told military officials in televised remarks at the launch of the maneuver.

"Currently, in the context of increasing geopolitical tensions in the world, this is very important. We see the United States trying to maintain its global military and political dominance in any way," he continued.

President Putin further said Russia must be ready to face any developments and will continue to strengthen its navy, including its nuclear components, in the face of what it describes as Washington-driven arms race.

"Under the pretext of countering Russia's alleged threats and detaining the People's Republic of China, the United States and its satellites is increasing their military presence near Russia's western border, in the Arctic and in the Asia-Pacific region," he said.

"The United States and its allies have publicly expressed their plans to deploy medium and short-range missiles in the so-called front zone," he continued.

Meanwhile, the United States said its alliance in the Pacific, such as AUKUS' partnership with Britain and Australia, was aimed at deepening military cooperation to improve regional stability.

AUKUS last year announced a joint plan that would provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines from the early 2030s to face China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.

"With its aggressive action, the United States is trying to achieve real military advantages, thus destroying the security architecture and balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region," President Putin said.

Naval Commander Admiral Alexander Moiseyev reported to him that four ships and 15 Chinese aircraft were training with Russian troops.

Meanwhile, China's official Xinhua news agency said on Monday its goal was to deepen "the level of strategic coordination between the Chinese and Russian militaries and increase their ability to jointly respond to security threats".

Exercises with China are part of a much larger Russian maneuver that will last until September 16 in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans as well as the Mediterranean, Baltic, and Kaspia Seas.

Admiral Moiseyev told President Putin the exercise would involve more than 90,000 Russian soldiers, more than 400 ships, 125 aircraft, and more than 7,500 weapons units.