According to information published by Global Times on September 16, 2022, warships from China and Russia embarked on the second joint naval patrol in the Pacific Ocean shortly after the Russia-led Vostok-2022 strategic drills earlier this month.
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Pakistan Navy's Tariq-class destroyer and China's PLA Navy comprehensive supply ship Dongpinghu. (Picture source: Navy.81.cn)
During the patrol, which is part of the implementation of the military cooperation program between China and Russia, the two countries' warships will conduct joint tactical maneuvering, communications between the ships in the group, and exercises involving live-fire artillery shooting and flights of vessel-based helicopters, according to a press release by the Russian Defense Ministry.
The tasks of the patrol are to strengthen naval cooperation between China and Russia, maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, monitor the sea area and safeguard maritime economic activities by China and Russia, the press release said.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy sent the Type 055 large destroyer Nanchang, the Type 054A guided missile frigate Yancheng and the Type 903A comprehensive supply ship Dongpinghu for the joint patrol, while the Russian Navy sent the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, the corvette Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov, the corvette Sovershennyy, the corvette Gromkiy and the medium sea tanker Pechenga.
The same Chinese vessels participated in the Russian Vostok-2022 exercises from September 1 to 7, which saw warships from the two countries conducting drills in the waters and coastal zones of the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, according to previous media reports.
The latest joint naval patrol is the second one by the two countries, as the Chinese and Russian navies formed a joint flotilla after the China-Russia Joint Sea-2021 military exercise in October last year and sailed across the Sea of Japan, the West Pacific and the East China Sea in seven days in their first joint naval patrol, marking a circumnavigation around Japan.
About the Type 903
The Type 903 (Fuchi) is a class of replenishment oiler (AOR) built for the People's Liberation Army Navy by the People's Republic of China. They resemble HTMS Similan, an AOR built by China for Thailand and delivered in 1996.
Two Type 903s entered service in 2003. Construction of the Type 903A, a slightly modified design, began in 2010; the first Type 903As entered service in 2013.
Type 903 is a flush-decked development of the Type 905 AOR resembling the French Durance. There are two liquid and one sliding-stay solid transfer station per side. Refueling may also be conducted from the stern.
