Joint Anti-Missile Drills Conclude in Russia
The armed forces of the Russian Federation and China have successfully conducted their third round of joint anti-missile drills on Russian territory in early December 2025. The exercises, which were part of scheduled military activities, were officially announced by China's Defense Ministry. A statement from the ministry emphasized that the drills were 'not directed against any third party' and were 'not related to the current international and regional situation'.
Third Iteration of Joint Drills
This latest exercise marks the third joint anti-missile drill between the two nations, building on previous collaborations. The first such exercise, known as Aerospace Security 2016, took place in May 2016 under the auspices of Russian air and missile defense forces. The second, Aerospace Security 2017, was a computer-simulated command-post drill held in Beijing in December 2017. These earlier drills focused on rehearsing joint responses to missile threats and coordinating command-and-control systems.
Deepening Strategic Partnership and Shared Concerns
The recent anti-missile drills underscore the deepening military and strategic ties between Russia and China. The two countries formalized a 'no-limits' strategic partnership shortly before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, committing to regular military exercises to enhance coordination between their armed forces. This latest anti-missile exercise follows a series of other joint military activities and diplomatic engagements:
- November 2025: Russia and China held talks in Moscow on missile defense and strategic stability.
- August 2025: Joint artillery and anti-submarine drills were conducted in the Sea of Japan.
Both nations have also voiced shared concerns regarding international developments, specifically citing U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to develop a 'Golden Dome' missile shield and his stated intention to resume nuclear weapons testing after a break of more than 30 years.
Focus on Operational Coordination
According to the Chinese Defense Ministry, the primary objective of these joint anti-missile drills is to improve operational coordination and enhance strategic cooperation between the two militaries. The exercises are seen as a manifestation of their commitment to self-defense and regional security, without targeting any specific third party.
5 Comments
Donatello
The article notes their shared concerns about a U.S. missile shield, which is a legitimate security worry for any nation. Yet, the opaqueness around these 'not directed against any third party' statements makes it hard to build trust and prevent misinterpretations internationally.
Raphael
Smart move. Every nation has a right to defend itself against threats.
Donatello
While Russia and China certainly have the right to conduct defensive exercises, the timing and scale of these drills will inevitably be seen as escalatory by other major powers, potentially leading to a more volatile international environment.
Raphael
Deepening strategic ties between Russia and China is a significant geopolitical development, reflecting their shared interests. However, this partnership also raises questions about its impact on existing international norms and the balance of power, potentially isolating other nations.
Donatello
It's understandable that these nations want to enhance their defense capabilities given perceived external threats. However, such close military cooperation often fuels an arms race mentality, making genuine de-escalation more challenging in the long run.