2 Chinese Spy Ships To Arrive Off Australia For Monitoring Talisman Sabre Military Exercises

The Australian authorities are getting ready for the arrival of two Chinese vessels, which are expected to monitor the ongoing Talisman Sabre military exercises in Sydney. This has been a recurring practice since 2017, with China’s Navy deploying at least one Auxiliary General Intelligence (AGI) vessel during each biennial training drill that involves the United States and other partner nations.

Sources from the defence and security sectors have informed ABC that a pair of People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) vessels will approach Australia in the coming days. Talisman Sabre 23 director Brigadier Damien Hill said Defense would take precautions to protect sensitive military data. However, he also emphasized that the Chinese vessels can operate within Australia’s exclusive economic zone.

According to an anonymous Australian Defence Force (ADF) official, the country closely monitors its borders and the operations of nations like the PLA. As long as these operations adhere to international law, there will be no issues from Australia’s end. Two Chinese vessels are expected to monitor activity around Queensland’s Shoal Water Bay Training Area. One may position itself off the Northern Territory coast.

Brigadier Hill has acknowledged that this year’s military drills cover a vast geographical area, with activities ranging from Western Australia to Norfolk Island. The Talisman Sabre involves a record number of participants, with 30,000 personnel from 13 countries participating. However, Brigadier Hill stated that China had not made any official request to be an observer or participant in the exercises.

The start of the Talisman Sabre has been delayed due to rain, and the planned live firing of a Japanese anti-ship missile in Australian waters has been postponed. The demonstration of Japan’s Type 12 surface-to-ship missile has been delayed until further notice due to adverse weather conditions.

The US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro and Defense Minister Richard Marles are scheduled to inaugurate Exercise Talisman Sabre 23 on Friday afternoon at Garden Island Naval Base in Sydney.

Reference: ABC, GVS

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Source: Maritime Shipping News