China and Russia started a joint naval drill off Guangdong Province in the South China Sea on today, reports China’s Xinhua news agency.

The ‘Joint Sea 2016' drill will run from Sept 12 to 19, and feature navy surface ships, submarines, fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, marines and amphibious armoured equipment.

Wang Hai, Chinese chief director of the exercise and deputy commander of the Chinese Navy, said that the joint drill is “a strategic measure” and concrete action to promote the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination and deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries, especially the two navies.

The drill will highlight real combat, digitisation and standardisation to promote naval cooperation.

Several procedures will be undertaken during the drill, including joint air defense, anti-submarine operations, landing, island-seizing, search and rescue, and weapon use.

- Bernama