Defence personnel have detected three Chinese warships operating near the north-east of Australia – just two days after the Chinese military dropped flares on an Australian plane
Three warships from Beijing have been spotted lurking off the coast of Australia – just two days after a Chinese warplane dropped flares on a Royal Australian Air Force plane.
Australia is now demanding answers from Beijing after the “unsafe and unprofessional” manoeuvre posed a risk to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) surveillance aircraft and its personnel. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) now say they are monitoring three Chinese warships operating near the north-east of Australia.
“On 11 February 2025, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft conducting a routine maritime surveillance patrol in the South China Sea experienced an unsafe and unprofessional interaction with a PLA-AF J-16 fighter aircraft,” Defence said in a statement.
“The PLA-AF aircraft released flares in close proximity to the RAAF P-8A aircraft. This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel.”
No personnel were injured and the P-8A was not damaged in the incident. “Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner,” Defence said.
“For decades, the ADF has undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region, and does so in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace.”
It comes after a Chinese fighter jet detonated flares in front of an Australian Navy helicopter last year. In a similar incident in 2022, another Chinese fighter jet damaged an Australian plane by releasing a cloud of chaff near a P-8A.
According to the ADF, there were two People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) warships and a replenishment vessel operating in the Coral Sea. These ships were complying with international law, but one had passed through the Torres Strait, NewsWire reports.
“Defence is aware of a People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) task group operating to the north east of Australia,” the ADF said. “Defence can confirm the Chinese vessels are the PLA-N Jiangkai-class frigate named Hengyang; the PLA-N Renhai cruiser named Zunyi and the PLA-N Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu.”
Defence said the ships “travelled through Southeast Asia, before entering Australia’s maritime approaches”.
“Australia respects the rights of all states to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law, just as we expect others to respect Australia’s right to do the same,” the ADF said. “Defence will continue to monitor the activities of the task group in Australia’s maritime approaches with a combination of capabilities, including air and maritime assets.”
