Chinese Warships Tracked by Australian and New Zealand Naval Forces

The naval forces of Australia and New Zealand are currently monitoring a task force consisting of three Chinese warships off the east coast of Australia. This rare long-distance patrol of PLA Navy forces has raised concerns and prompted close surveillance by the regional powers.

The Chinese task force includes the fleet oiler Weishanhu, the newly commissioned Type 055 cruiser Zunyi, and the Type 054A frigate Hengyang. The task force transited through the Coral Sea and into waters off Australia’s northeast coast last week, with the frigate arriving separately through the Torres Strait and passing by the Northern Territories before meeting up with Weishanhu.

Reports indicate that the Chinese task force approached about 150 nautical miles east of Sydney, well within Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Additionally, the task force spent time near New Zealand’s shores, prompting both countries to closely monitor the PLA Navy’s movements in the region.

New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins expressed concerns about the lack of communication from the Chinese government regarding the task force’s deployment and future plans, emphasizing the need for transparency in such operations.

Zunyi, the Type 055 cruiser, is China’s largest and most advanced surface combatant, equipped with 112 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells and an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system. Hengyang, the Type 054A frigate, commissioned in 2008, boasts 32 VLS cells for air defense and antisubmarine missiles, as well as deck launchers for antiship missiles.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles assured the deployment of Navy and Air Force assets to monitor the Chinese task force’s activities in a safe and professional manner. He highlighted Australia’s right to observe such movements, noting that while unusual, this transit is not unprecedented.

This latest encounter follows a series of incidents between Chinese and Australian forces, including a recent incident on February 11 where a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A maritime patrol aircraft had an “unsafe and unprofessional interaction” with a PLA Air Force fighter over the South China Sea. The Chinese jet reportedly fired flares near the Australian patrol plane, posing a risk to the aircraft and its crew.