China to deploy Type 052D missile destroyer off Iran’s coast

The Chinese Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday that China will conduct joint naval exercises with Russia and Iran in the Indian Ocean this month. Named “Security Belt-2025,” the drills are scheduled to take place near the Iranian port of Chabahar along the Gulf of Oman.

 

China will deploy a Type 052D guided-missile destroyer, carrying the Baotou missile system, along with the supply ship Gaoyouhu, both part of its 47th naval escort task force, to participate in the maneuvers. The announcement, reported by China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, marks the latest in a series of trilateral military collaborations that have drawn global attention.

Last year’s iteration of the exercise, dubbed “Maritime Security Belt-2024,” occurred from March 11 to 15 in the same region. That event focused on anti-piracy and search-and-rescue drills, involving more than 20 ships from the three countries. China contributed three vessels from its 45th escort task force, including the Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Urumqi, the Type 054A guided-missile frigate Linyi, and the Type 903A supply ship Dongpinghu.

Russia deployed the Pacific Fleet’s missile cruiser Varyag and the destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov, while Iran fielded a mix of naval and Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels, including the frigates Alborz and Jamaran.

For the upcoming “Security Belt-2025,” specific details about Russia’s and Iran’s contributions remain limited as of now. However, based on past patterns, Russia is likely to deploy warships from its Pacific Fleet, potentially including the Varyag again, given its prominence in previous exercises. Iran, hosting the event near Chabahar, is expected to involve both its conventional navy and the Revolutionary Guard Corps, possibly deploying frigates like the Jamaran or other domestically built vessels.

The Chinese Ministry of Defense has confirmed that the Type 052D destroyer and Gaoyouhu, currently part of the 47th naval escort task force patrolling the Gulf of Aden since December, will join the drills. This task force also includes the guided-missile frigate Honghe and two ship-borne helicopters, though it’s unclear if these additional assets will participate. The ministry’s statement emphasized that the exercise will feature a range of operations designed to enhance interoperability among the three navies.

Its propulsion system, a combined diesel or gas turbine arrangement, allows it to reach speeds exceeding 30 knots, making it agile for both offensive and defensive missions. The Type 052D is equipped with a 130mm main gun capable of engaging surface targets at significant ranges, but its standout feature is the vertical launch system, which can house up to 64 missiles.

These include the HHQ-9 surface-to-air missiles for air defense, YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles for striking enemy vessels, and CJ-10 land-attack cruise missiles for precision strikes onshore targets. The destroyer also carries anti-submarine torpedoes and is fitted with advanced radar systems, such as the Type 346A active electronically scanned array, providing robust situational awareness.

For close-in defense, it features the Type 730 or Type 1130 close-in weapon system, designed to intercept incoming missiles and aircraft. Typically, the Type 052D operates with a crew of about 280 personnel and can deploy a Harbin Z-9 or Kamov Ka-28 helicopter for reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare. The Gaoyouhu, a Type 903 supply ship, complements the destroyer by providing fuel, ammunition, and provisions, extending the task force’s operational range.

Each destroyer costs an estimated $500 million to $600 million, though exact figures remain undisclosed by Beijing. The Baotou missile system, integrated into this class, enhances its offensive and defensive capabilities, though specific details about its deployment on this particular ship align with the Type 052D’s standard configuration.

Its armament and sensor suite make it versatile for multi-domain operations, a trait likely to be showcased during “Security Belt-2025.” Paired with the Gaoyouhu, which can carry thousands of tons of fuel and dry stores, the duo exemplifies China’s ability to sustain long-range deployments—a capability that has grown since the country began anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden in 2008.

The trilateral drills, now in their fifth iteration since 2019, signal a deepening military alignment among China, Russia, and Iran, three nations often at odds with Western powers. Sophie Kobzantsev, a Russia analyst at the Misgav Institute in Jerusalem, noted in a recent interview with Voice of America that such exercises serve both strategic and symbolic purposes.

She suggested that Russia views them as part of a push to reshape global power dynamics, countering U.S. and NATO influence. For China, the drills reinforce its growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean, a region vital to its Belt and Road Initiative trade routes. Iran, meanwhile, gains a platform to assert its regional relevance amid tensions with the United States and its allies over issues like nuclear negotiations and Red Sea shipping disruptions.

Analysts differ on the exercise’s intent. Some see it as a routine demonstration of interoperability, not aimed at any specific adversary. China’s Ministry of Defense has framed it as a cooperative effort to ensure maritime security, a stance echoed by Iranian officials who cite goals like combating piracy and safeguarding trade.

Meir Javedanfar, an Iranian security studies expert at Reichman University in Israel, told Voice of America that the exercises allow China and Russia to “show their presence and pressure the West,” particularly amid ongoing conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

The U.S., which leads a naval coalition in the region, has not commented directly on “Security Belt-2025,” but its 2024 Annual Threat Assessment Report highlighted the fragility of the global order, citing China, Russia, and Iran as key challengers.

The port’s strategic value lies in its proximity to major shipping lanes, making it an ideal staging ground for exercises that test naval coordination and response capabilities. Historical data from past drills suggests that “Security Belt-2025” will span several days, likely concluding with a ceremonial review, as seen in 2024 when ships returned to Chabahar for debriefing. As preparations unfold, the full scope of “Security Belt-2025” will become clearer.

The Chinese task force’s departure from the Gulf of Aden to join the exercise indicates a seamless transition from escort duties to multinational drills, reflecting operational flexibility. Russia and Iran’s contributions, once detailed, will further illuminate the scale of this collaboration.

For now, the announcement underscores a sustained pattern of naval cooperation among the three nations, set against a backdrop of shifting global alliances and regional security concerns. The Gulf of Oman, quiet for now, will soon host a display of maritime power that, whether cooperative or calculated, continues to shape perceptions of the Indo-Pacific’s evolving landscape.