China and Saudi Arabia Kick off Blue Sword-2023 Naval Special Operations Joint Training
China and Saudi Arabia have commenced their joint naval special operations training, known as Blue Sword-2023. The opening ceremony took place at a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) naval brigade camp in Zhanjiang, attended by more than 100 participants from both sides.
During the ceremony, the commander of the Saudi Arabian participating troops expressed gratitude to China for their warm reception and meticulous preparations for the training. He emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two nations to achieve the goals of this joint training.
Echoing his sentiment, the commander of the Chinese participating troops highlighted the significance of this joint training for enhancing practical and friendly cooperation between the two militaries. He hoped that participants from both sides would learn from one another, collaborate closely, and strive for the highest quality in completing each training subject, thereby enhancing their joint operational capabilities.
The Blue Sword-2023 joint training focuses on overseas maritime counter-terrorism operations and consists of three phases: basic training, specialized training, and a comprehensive exercise. Within the basic and specialized training phases, there are 24 subjects to be covered, including multiple arms shooting, fast roping from helicopters, boat driving, and underwater explosive ordnance search and disposal.
The comprehensive exercise will center around maritime assault and rescue skill training, with a particular emphasis on joint rescue exercises involving the special operations troops from both navies. This comprehensive exercise will specifically address the joint rescue of hijacked merchant ships.
The joint training aims to deepen practical and friendly cooperation between the Chinese and Saudi Arabian military forces while improving their troops’ real-combat training level. By sharing knowledge and expertise, both nations seek to enhance their joint operational capabilities in combating maritime terrorism.
This collaborative effort signifies the growing strategic partnership between China and Saudi Arabia and underscores their commitment to maintaining regional security and stability. As global powers, they recognize the importance of joint training exercises to effectively address common security challenges.
The Blue Sword-2023 training is expected to provide valuable experience and foster a deeper understanding between the naval special operations forces of China and Saudi Arabia. This collaboration will not only contribute to bilateral military ties but also strengthen the broader international efforts in combating maritime terrorism and ensuring the safety of international waters.
With its focus on practical training and joint rescue exercises, the Blue Sword-2023 naval special operations joint training sets an example of effective cooperation and will undoubtedly elevate the operational capabilities and readiness of the participating troops.
