The U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet issued a press statement today announcing the kickoff of Large-Scale Exercise 2021, a globe-spanning drill that encompasses U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Fleet Forces Command in the U.S. and the U.S. Pacific Fleet. “LSE 2021 is a Chief of Naval Operations-directed live, virtual, and constructive, globally integrated exercise that spans multiple fleets,” the statement says. “LSE 2021 is designed to refine how we synchronize maritime operations across multiple fleets in support of the joint force.”
“`LSE is more than just training; it is leveraging the integrated fighting power of multiple naval forces to share sensors, weapons, and platforms across all domains in contested environments, globally,’ said Adm. Christopher W. Grady, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.” In other words, it’s a message to China and Russia claiming that we can do everything we need to do anywhere we need to do it, at any time.
Meanwhile, Russia and China are preparing for a much more modest effort but one that may have large strategic implications, that is, the joint exercise at the Qingtongxia Joint Tactical Training Base in Northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from Aug. 9-13. “The drill will be the first time Russian forces will enter the Qingtongxia military base,” writes Chinese military expert Song Zhongping in a commentary published in Global Times on Aug. 2. “This is also the first joint drill to be held in China since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic. This clearly demonstrates that the mutual trust of the Chinese and Russian armed forces is increasing in earnest. From previous exercises in non-traditional security fields to all-round exercises in all subjects, China-Russia military cooperation is becoming closer.
