China has deployed a submarine to Russia for the first time as part of joint naval exercises, marking an expansion in military cooperation between the two countries. The Chinese flotilla arrived at Vladivostok on August 1, 2025, to participate in the Joint Sea 2025 drills, which will continue until August 5.
The Chinese Navy’s participation includes a Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine, two Type 052D-class guided-missile destroyers, and other vessels. The submarine’s deployment is symbolic, as it avoids exposing more sensitive technologies during transit through the Sea of Japan.
The exercise is supported by an Udaloy-class destroyer on the Russian side, highlighting the contrast in naval modernization between China and Russia. The drills include multiple training scenarios to improve interoperability between the two navies in a region of strategic significance.
China’s Ministry of Defense described the Joint Sea 2025 as a routine element of its annual cooperation plan with Russia, stating it is not directed at any third party. However, the timing coincides with Resolute Force Pacific 2025, a US-led military operation involving over 400 aircraft and 12,000 personnel from multiple countries.
China and Russia have conducted regular naval patrols in the Pacific since 2021, often in coordination with Joint Sea exercises. The 2025 iteration of Joint Sea is taking place near Vladivostok, a key hub for Russia’s Pacific Fleet. Beijing’s goal is to weaken Russia without defeating it, according to political scientist Alexander Motyl.
Source: https://united24media.com/latest-news/china-sends-submarine-to-russia-during-joint-naval-exercises-for-first-time-10404