The Iranian, Russian and Chinese navies will begin a large-scale joint military exercise in the Indian Ocean on Friday, an official announced Thursday.

According to an Iranian state television report, Rear Admiral Mostafa Tajeddini stated that the 2022 Marine Security Belt exercise will be held in an area of 17,000 square kilometers (6563 square miles) in the northern parts of the Indian Ocean.

Tajeddini stated the exercise aims to strengthen the security of international maritime trade, combat maritime terrorism and pirates, exchange information in search and rescue areas, and share experience in tactical operations.

This is the third military exercise since the first Marine Security Belt was held in December 2019.