China’s deployment this week of a naval fleet led by a Type 075 amphibious assault ship in the Philippine Sea has triggered a rapid response from Australia.
Canberra deployed a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft to track the flotilla, reviving security concerns raised after an unprecedented circumnavigation of the Australian continent by a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) fleet nine months ago.
US satellite images, first reported by Australian media on Wednesday, confirmed the presence of the Chinese warships and a nearby helicopter.
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Based on the images, three of the four Chinese naval ships were identified by their hull numbers: the Type 075 amphibious assault ship Hainan, the Type 055 destroyer Yanan, and the Type 903A replenishment ship Luomahu.
Imagery also appeared to show the Hainan breaking formation and sailing away while the destroyer and the replenishment ship conducted a resupplying operation.
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China’s first 076 ‘drone carrier’ amphibious assault ship begins sea trials
China’s first 076 ‘drone carrier’ amphibious assault ship begins sea trials
The Hainan is China’s first 40,000-tonne landing helicopter dock and was commissioned in 2021. The fourth Type 075, the Hubei, went into service in August and recently completed drills elsewhere.