China and Saudi Arabia will conduct a joint naval exercise titled Blue Sword 2025 in the second half of October, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.

The drill marks the third such exercise between the Chinese PLA Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. The previous edition took place in 2023 in Zhanjiang, focusing on naval infantry and special forces operations, culminating in a simulated rescue of a hijacked merchant ship.

This year's exercise will be based at King Abdulaziz Naval Base in Jubail, home to the RSNF Eastern Fleet's naval infantry brigade. Observers are watching to see if the scope expands beyond special forces to include broader joint sea operations.

The PLA Navy's presence in the region is supported by its Project 141 base in Djibouti, maintained by a rotating three-ship flotilla. The current 47th Naval Escort Group includes destroyer Baotou, frigate Honghe and replenishment ship Gaoyouhu.

The 48th Naval Escort Group departed Qingdao on October 11. It comprises the destroyer Tangshan, a new Type 052DL variant with an extended flight deck, the frigate Daqing and the replenishment ship Taihu. Each ship carried a Harbin Z-9C helicopter.

While Chinese flotillas often conduct joint drills with regional partners like Iran and Pakistan during deployment overlaps, no joint activity is expected with the Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group currently in the Indian Ocean.