Sibu/Cooperation-2021 | Large-scale China – Russia military exercise

Defence Redefined

14/08/2021

According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defence, Russia conducts military exercises with China on Chinese soil in the Ningxia region. More than 10,000 troops are participating in the exercise. 

The large joint military exercise Sibu/Coperation-2021 indicates that the two countries are expanding their cooperation as they spar with the West and especially the USA. The Russian press reports that Russia and China have conducted joint drills since 2005, but it is the first time that the Russian troops will use Chinese weapon systems. Moscow has sent, among others, Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jets, motorized and ground units as well as anti-aircraft systems. 

Ground, air and naval forces participate in the exercise and it was announced that its main purpose is counter-terrorism, although – as the numbers and means that took part suggest – it focuses on different scenarios.

On Friday, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said he was pleased with the cooperation with the Chinese Armed Forces and hoped to further deepen this relation.

The deepening of military ties between China and Russia is certainly something that the US should be concerned about. The doctrine of dual restraint will certainly face enormous difficulties in its implementation, as it leads two major powers closer, with nuclear arsenals and enormous geopolitical potential. For many American analysts, the US grand strategy must be fully focused on halting China as its huge economic rise is likely to turn into a military one which will enable it to claim a hegemonic position both regionally and internationally. The way the Biden administration will assimilate power redeployment and regional changes into America’s grand strategy still remains to be seen.

Source: Reuters

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