Chinese Navy Circles Australia, Sparks Regional Alarm
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As at least February 11, Australia and New Zealand have been monitoring a group of warships from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). this group, designated Task Force 107 by the australian department of Defence, has been observed near Australia.
Drawing from various australian and New Zealand sources, an attempt has been made to create a timeline of Task Force 107’s circumnavigation of Australia.
Initial Detection and Composition
Public awareness of the Chinese task force began on February 13. On this day, the Australian Department of Defence announced its presence near Australia. They also released images of the Type 054A frigate Hengyang transiting the Torres Strait, located between Australia and Papua New Guinea, on February 11.
The task force included two other vessels: the Type 055 cruiser Zunyi and the Type 903 replenishment ship Weishanhu. These ships transited north of Papua New Guinea around the same date. Afterward, they proceeded to the Coral Sea, where the Weishanhu met with the Hengyang around February 13 or 14, while the Zunyi remained further north.
Monitoring and Tracking
On February 15, Australia released images showing the anzac-class frigate HMAS Arunta tracking the Weishanhu and Hengyang in the Tasman Sea, between Australia and New Zealand.Data from these images indicates they were taken on the afternoon of February 15.
Timeline of Events:
- february 11 – Hengyang transits the Torres Strait.
- february 12 – Zunyi and Weishanhu conduct replenishment at sea.
- February 13-14 – Hengyang and Weishanhu rendezvous in the Coral Sea, while Zunyi remains further north.
- February 15 – HMAS Arunta observes Hengyang and Weishanhu in the Tasman Sea.
- February 21 – Task force 107 completes a live fire exercise observed by HMNZS Te Kaha.
- February 22 – All three ships complete another live fire exercise, again observed by HMNZS Te Kaha.
- February 26 – Task Force 107 enters the Great Australian Bight.
- March 5 – Task Force 107 passes Perth heading north.
The Arunta appears to have ceased tracking the Task Force sometime between February 15 and 21. By the morning of February 21, when the Task Force completed its first live fire exercise, the HMNZS Te Kaha was the sole vessel monitoring the group.
On February 22, the group, now including all three ships, conducted another live fire exercise observed by the crew of the HMNZS Te Kaha.
On February 24, the NZDF reported the group’s position as 280 nautical miles east of Tasmania, outside Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone. In the following days, it moved southwest around Tasmania. The Australian Department of Defence reported that the Task Force re-entered australia’s EEZ on the morning of february 25 before entering the Great Australian Bight on February 26.
The Australian frigate HMAS Stuart reportedly began monitoring the task force around February 24.The RNZN tanker HMNZS Aotearoa conducted a replenishment at sea with the frigate around the same time. Based on photographic evidence, a second replenishment at sea took place on February 26.
Possible Submarine Presence
Adding a layer of complexity,the possibility of a Chinese submarine accompanying the task force was raised. When questioned about this, a high-ranking defence official stated, “I don’t know if there is a submarine with them. It is possible. Task groups are occasionally deployed with submarines, but not always, so I can’t say definitively.”
Historically, Chinese SSNs have rarely ventured far from mainland China, typically focusing their activities in the South and East China Seas. However, the PLAN has previously deployed a Type 09III SSN in the Indian Ocean, with operations dating back to 2013. Given the ongoing modernization and expansion of China’s submarine fleet, further incursions are a logical operational consequence.
Strategic Implications
The deployment of the Chinese Task Force near Australia, while low-profile and limited in operational significance, likely signals China’s intentions to deploy naval combatants abroad more routinely. This serves primarily as a political message.
The emphasis on legal rights under international law may serve to counter similar naval operations conducted by Australia and Western nations near mainland China, notably in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Chinese People’s liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Task force 107’s circumnavigation of Australia in early 2025.
Q: What was the composition of the Chinese naval Task Force 107 observed near Australia?
A: Task Force 107 consisted of three primary vessels:
Type 055 Cruiser zunyi: A powerful guided-missile cruiser.
Type 054A Frigate Hengyang: A multi-role frigate.
Type 903 Replenishment Ship Weishanhu: A supply ship designed to support naval operations far from port.
Q: When did Australia and New Zealand begin monitoring Task Force 107?
A: Monitoring began as early as February 11, 2025. the Australian Department of Defence publicly announced the task force’s presence around February 13, 2025.
Q: What was the timeline of Task force 107’s circumnavigation of Australia?
A: Here’s a timeline of key events:
February 11: Hengyang transits the Torres strait.
February 12: Zunyi and Weishanhu conduct replenishment at sea.
February 13-14: Hengyang and Weishanhu rendezvous in the Coral Sea, while Zunyi remains further north.
February 15: HMAS Arunta observes Hengyang and Weishanhu in the Tasman Sea.
February 21: Task Force 107 completes a live-fire exercise, observed by HMNZS Te Kaha.
February 22: All three ships complete another live-fire exercise, again observed by HMNZS Te Kaha.
February 24: Located approximately 280 nautical miles east of Tasmania.
February 25: Re-entered Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
February 26: Task Force 107 enters the Great Australian Bight.
March 5: Task Force 107 passes perth, heading north.
Q: Which Australian and New Zealand ships were involved in monitoring Task Force 107?
A: The following ships were involved:
HMAS Arunta: An Anzac-class frigate.
HMNZS Te Kaha: A Royal New Zealand Navy frigate.
HMAS Stuart: An Australian frigate.
* HMNZS Aotearoa: A Royal New Zealand Navy tanker.
Q: Was there a possibility of a Chinese submarine accompanying the task force?
A: The possibility of a Chinese submarine accompanying Task Force 107 was raised. However, a high-ranking defence official stated that it was uncertain. While Chinese submarines have historically operated closer to mainland China, previous deployments in the Indian Ocean suggest that such a presence was plausible but unconfirmed.
Q: What are the strategic implications of this deployment?
A: The deployment of Task Force 107 serves primarily as a political message, signaling China’s intention to deploy naval combatants abroad on a more routine basis. It also could emphasize the importance of legal rights under international law, likely mirroring similar naval operations conducted by Australia and Western nations near mainland China, especially in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.
Q: What is the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?
A: The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a sea zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including the production of energy from water and wind. It stretches from the baseline out to 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the coast of the state in question.
Q: What is the meaning of live fire exercises conducted by task Force 107?
A: Live fire exercises demonstrate the operational readiness and capabilities of the naval task force. They also serve as a signal of military strength and a clear presentation of their naval capabilities in international waters.
Q: Why did the task force enter and then leave Australia’s EEZ?
A: Foreign naval vessels are generally allowed to transit through a nation’s EEZ under the principle of freedom of navigation, as long as they are not engaged in activities that threaten the coastal state’s security or violate international law. The task force’s movements likely represented a routine transit rather than an act of aggression.