Ocean-2024 – Russian Navy flexes its muscles, China assists

Russia has started a large naval exercise called “Ocean-2024.” This exercise began on September 10 and is happening in the Pacific Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Caspian Sea, and the Baltic Sea. According to Russian media, more than 400 ships, submarines, and support vessels are taking part in this event. It will continue until September 16, 2024.

The “Ocean-2024” exercise is seen as an attempt by Russia to show its naval strength after facing losses in the Black Sea due to clashes with the Ukrainian military. Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Aleksandr Moiseyev, is leading this exercise. The goal is to test how ready the Russian Navy and Air Force are to manage different forces, solve difficult tasks, use advanced weapons, and work together with naval forces from other countries. Observers from 15 countries have been invited to watch this major event, making it Russia’s largest naval drill in over 30 years.

The name “Ocean” comes from a series of naval exercises conducted by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Back then, the Soviet Navy operated in waters around the world. In one of those exercises, in 1970, a submarine called K-8 sank during the event. Though the current exercise carries the same name, it is not as large as those Cold War drills.

Russia claims that 400 ships, 125 aircraft and helicopters, 7,000 combat and special vehicles, and over 90,000 soldiers are part of “Ocean-2024.” However, many experts question if Russia can really deploy such large numbers. The Russian Navy is thought to have about 300 active vessels, including ships stuck in the Black and Caspian Seas due to conflict. In reality, the number of ready-to-use ships is likely even lower.

One interesting part of this exercise is the involvement of foreign countries. The Chinese Navy is participating with four ships, including two destroyers, a frigate, and a fleet oiler, along with 15 aircraft. The Russian and Chinese navies will also conduct a separate drill, called “North-Interaction-2024,” in the Sea of Okhotsk and Sea of Japan. The goal of this exercise is to improve cooperation between the two countries’ military forces and strengthen their ability to respond to security threats, especially from the United States.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a speech during the exercise, accused the U.S. of trying to maintain its global military dominance. He claimed the U.S. is using Ukraine to weaken Russia. He also warned that the U.S. and its allies are increasing their military presence near Russia’s borders in the Arctic and the Asia-Pacific region.

While Russia’s Navy still has some strengths, like its submarine force, it is far weaker than it was during the Cold War. The Russian shipbuilding industry is struggling to build large ships, and most of their new vessels are small or medium-sized. Despite these challenges, Russia’s submarines remain a serious threat, just as they were during the Cold War.