On Monday, Sept. 12, Russia and China commenced a large, joint naval training exercise known as “Joint-Sea 2016” in the South China Sea. The exact nature of the exercise will include all types of naval vessels of the two countries as well as naval aircraft and amphibious infantry.
Training exercises typically carry more weight and intention than just testing capabilities. Exercises can also be a show of force, allowing rival countries to view rival naval military capabilities. With the eight-day training happening, the United States can view the exercise in two ways. The concerned view is the question of China and/or Russia’s intentions. But the exercise can also be viewed as an opportunity to see naval capabilities and tactics in use. While I am sure the United States’ intelligence agencies have information on the ships, tactics, etc., a viewing opportunity should never be turned down.
This should concern the United States; but, more importantly, it should mostly concern some of the smaller South China Sea residents. Some of the concerned parties include Vietnam, Brunei, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Because of China’s recent actions in creating islands and then declaring them territorial waters, several of the countries have turned to the U.S. for military assistance, which only furthers tensions in the region.
According to the Chinese Navy’s spokesperson Liang Yang, the exercises will include “live-fire drills, sea crossing and island landing operations, and island defense and offense exercises.”
The focus on amphibious assault capabilities should also be a concern to the United States. While both China and Russia are going to have marines at the exercise, China should be of more concern. If China has any plans to take over more land in the South China Sea, the assault would most likely come from the sea.
Whatever concerns, if any, the United States may have about these exercises or their symbolism, it would be very unwise for the United States or any of the Asian countries to intentionally interfere with the trainings over the next eight days. Interference by the U.S. or other vessels could lean to the possibility of multiple ships crashing or people getting accidentally (or maybe purposely) shot. Symbolically, interfering with the exercise may give China and/or Russia an opportunity to portray the United States as an aggressor.
While it may be easy to react to this, for now the United States should just stand down and observe. Then we can act accordingly.
This Russian amphibious craft, the Mordovia, is of similar design to what will be present at Joint-Sea 2016, which will be used to land marines on the beach.
Mordovia, a Russian NavyZubr-class, during Exercise Zapad-09