Australian Navy Deploys Ships & Surveillance Aircraft To Monitor Chinese Warships

The Navy of Australia sent three ships and a surveillance aircraft to keep an eye on Chinese warships operating near its waters.

Deputy P.M Richard Marles said in an interview that 3 Anzac-class frigates, the HMAS Sturat, HMAS Warramunga and HMA Toowoomba, are monitoring the Chinese warships, which were around 500 km northwest of Perth.

The Chinese task group includes the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, Renhai-class cruiser Zuni and Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu.

China also conducted a live-fire exercise in the Tasman Sea between New Zealand and Australia on February 21, 2025, which led to the diversion of many flights to avoid accidents.

When met with concerns from Canberra, China replied that warships’ activities are always conducted safely, in accordance with international practices and laws.

Analysts have said that though Chinese vessels have freedom of navigation, in this case, they were just trying to project force.

Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, stated that it was quite clear that China is using its naval ships to send a strategic message to Australia and the region that Beijing will project its force beyond its coast into the maritime vicinity of other countries.

This is also to assert its dominance in the Indo-Pacific, he added.

Anne-Marie Brady, professor of political science at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, said that China is sending a signal to Australia and New Zealand that it can threaten its sea and air links at any time.

Davis also said that Chinese ships might frequent the region to discourage Australia from deploying its ships in waters near China, especially into the South China Sea.

In response to this situation, Australia and New Zealand are getting into strategic agreements with like-minded nations and are planning to increase their defense spending.

References: Benar News, RFA

Source: Maritime Shipping News