Chinese Naval Fleet Docks in Southern Iran for Joint Drill
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A Chinese flotilla of warships berthed at Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Thursday to hold a joint drill with the Iranian Navy.
The visiting Chinese flotilla comprises the guided-missile destroyer Chang Chun (DDG-150), guided-missile frigate Jin Zhou (FFG-532) and Type 903 replenishment ship Chao Hu (890).
The crew members of the Chinese fleet plan to meet with Iranian local officials later on Thursday.
At the end of their four-day visit to Iran, they will hold a joint naval exercise with the forces of the Iranian Navy.
The Chinese flotilla had been staying at Pakistan’s Karachi for a training program before deployment to Iran.
Iran’s Navy and the People's Liberation Army Navy (Chinese Navy) have intensified cooperation in recent years.
In September 2014, a Chinese flotilla of warships docked in Bandar Abbas and held a joint naval exercise with Iran.
Later in October that year, Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari visited China’s eastern port city of Qingdao with a high-ranking team and held talks with Chinese military officials.
In December 2015, members of a high-ranking naval delegation from China visited Iran for talks.