400 Warships & Submarines, 7000 Aircraft in Russia's Biggest Ever Naval Exercise

Russia's Navy commenced 'Ocean 2024' strategic command post exercise involving some 400 warships & submarines besides 7000 Aircraft which will last till September 16.

The exercise takes place across various maritime regions, including the Pacific and Arctic oceans, and the Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic seas. It is part of Russia's 2024 military training plan, aims to assess the operational readiness of the Navy's senior command to manage all-arms groups in their areas of responsibility. It also seeks to test the use of high-precision and advanced weapons systems in various combat scenarios.

Led by Admiral Aleksandr Moiseyev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, 'Ocean 2024' will see the participation of over 90,000 personnel and includes collaboration with foreign naval contingents. Russian officials view the exercise as one of the most significant combat training events of the year.

In its first phase, the exercise will focus on organizing force deployments. The second phase will involve combat operations, including landings on unprepared coastlines and the defense of critical maritime infrastructure.

Russia's Ministry of Defense also stated that various security agencies, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Federal Security Service, will participate in the drill. 'Ocean' exercises have been part of Russia’s naval tradition, with similar large-scale exercises dating back to the Soviet era.

Meanwhile, Norway’s corvette Storm is currently monitoring three Russian warships from the Baltic Fleet, sailing off Norway’s west coast in international waters as part of Russia’s strategic naval exercise Okean-2024. The Russian vessels include two Steregushchiy-class corvettes and a Ropucha-class landing ship. Norway’s Armed Forces confirmed that these movements are expected and are being tracked with allied support.

Ocean-2024, announced by Russia in December, involves both the Northern and Baltic Fleets and is part of increased naval and aerial activity near Norway. It follows the cancellation of Russia’s Zapad-2023 drills. Activity has also been observed in the Barents Sea, with exercises extending to other strategic locations.

In addition, China’s Defense Ministry announced joint naval and air exercises with Russia in the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk later this month under “Northern United 2024,” though no Chinese warships have been seen near Europe.