For nearly a month, three Chinese warships made an unannounced journey around Australia, leaving the country on high alert. The flotilla consisted of a cruiser, a frigate, and a replenishment tanker, which allowed them to travel long distances without stopping for fuel. They sailed in and out of Australia’s exclusive economic zone, a vast maritime area that extends beyond the country’s territorial waters but is still of national interest.
The Chinese ships passed close to Sydney, sailed south, and then moved along the western coast near Perth, just days after a U.S. nuclear submarine had docked at a nearby base. The Chinese navy even conducted live-fire drills near commercial airspace, forcing nearly 50 civilian flights to reroute. By the time the ships left the region and headed north toward Indonesia, they had sent a clear message to Australia: China’s military presence in the region is growing.
A Wake-Up Call for Australia’s Navy
Although China’s navy is already known for its impressive reach, this particular mission caught Australia off guard. The Royal Australian Navy, one of the oldest and smallest it has been since World War II, was unable to match the Chinese fleet’s capabilities. The two Chinese warships alone had 144 vertical launch missile cells, while all 10 Australian warships combined only had 200.
Additionally, Australia has only two replenishment tankers, which are essential for long-range operations, but both were out of commission during the Chinese voyage. This meant that Australia could not effectively monitor its own waters without help from allies like New Zealand, which assisted in refueling Australian ships in the Tasman Sea.
The incident highlighted how reliant Australia is on its military alliance with the United States. In February, Australia paid half a billion dollars to the U.S. as part of the AUKUS pact, a security agreement between Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. to strengthen defense cooperation. However, recent comments from U.S. officials have raised doubts about how committed Washington is to supporting its allies.
China’s Growing Presence in the Region
China, for its part, has made no apologies for the warships’ presence, stating that it was conducting normal naval operations in international waters. Chinese officials have emphasized that as a major regional power, they have the right to conduct training exercises anywhere they choose.
However, for Australia, this marks a significant shift. In the past, conflicts have been seen as events happening far away. Now, there is a growing realization that foreign military forces can operate right off Australian shores.
China’s increasing naval activity is not limited to Australia. In Japan, officials reported that Chinese navy ships passed through the Ryukyu Islands 68 times last year, compared to only 21 times in 2021. China’s navy, already the world’s largest, is expanding rapidly and making its presence felt across the region.
Despite Australia’s previous naval operations near China—such as sailing through the Taiwan Strait and conducting joint drills in the South China Sea—this latest Chinese voyage was different. Unlike those well-trafficked areas, there is little strategic reason for warships to be south of Australia except to make a statement.
For now, Australian officials have reassured the public that the Chinese presence was legal under international law. However, the Chinese navy’s ability to circle the country with ease has exposed vulnerabilities in Australia’s defense capabilities, leaving many uneasy about what could come next.
