China’s Naval Power Projection in the Philippine Sea

Key Takeaways

• A Chinese naval task group has been tracked by the Australian military east of the Philippines, boasting ships with formidable firepower.
• The task group includes a Landing Helicopter Dock ship, a destroyer, a frigate, and a refuelling vessel.
• The group’s landing deck is capable of hosting up to 30 helicopters and around a thousand marines.
• The task group is considered a "significant projection of power" and its destination is currently unknown.
• The Australian government is monitoring the situation closely and has stressed that it will not provide a "running commentary" on the fleet’s movements.

Introduction to the Situation
A private intelligence company has revealed that a Chinese naval task group being tracked by the Australian military east of the Philippines possesses ships with significant firepower. The task group includes a Landing Helicopter Dock ship, a destroyer, a frigate, and a refuelling vessel. Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) was closely monitoring the Chinese flotilla, although he stressed that it was not yet clear whether it was heading towards Australia.

Composition of the Task Group
The private firm Starboard Maritime Intelligence has used satellite technology to track down the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) task group, which is currently around 260 nautical miles east of the Philippines. The group’s landing deck is capable of hosting up to 30 helicopters and approximately 1,000 marines for various operations ranging from humanitarian relief to amphibious landings. The maritime intelligence firm’s analyst, Mark Douglas, said the PLA-N destroyer and the frigate would provide protection for the flotilla, and that the frigate would be "looking for submarines that might be monitoring the task group."

Capabilities of the Task Group
The replenishment vessel would be acting as a "mobile logistics hub, carrying over 11,000 tons of fuel and dry stores." This support effectively untethers the flotilla from shore-based ports, extending its cruising range to over 10,000 nautical miles — sufficient to transit around major landmasses like Australia without entering port. The task group’s capabilities and composition make it a significant projection of power, and its presence in the region is being closely monitored by the Australian government and other regional players.

Expert Analysis and Reaction
Former naval officer Jennifer Parker, who is an expert associate at the ANU’s national security college, said it was "rare" to see a deployment of a Chinese amphibious task group outside the first island chain and into the western Pacific. She stressed that there was "no indication based on their location, course and speed that they are presently heading to Australia", pointing out the group was over 3,500km north-west of Port Moresby. However, she noted that the task group could deploy further into the western Pacific, given its accompaniment by a replenishment vessel.

Government Response and Diplomacy
Defence Minister Richard Marles declined to comment on the imagery, stressing that Australia monitored "all movements" of Chinese naval vessels in the region, but would not be drawn on the details of the task group, given its destination was not clear. Foreign Minister Penny Wong also used a speech to warn that China’s military build-up was causing anxiety across the region, and that outside players such as China should "respect sovereignty and Pacific-led approaches." The Australian government is engaging in diplomatic efforts, including a historic trilateral meeting with Indonesia in Port Moresby, to discuss regional security and the Chinese task group’s presence.

Implications and Concerns
The presence of the Chinese task group in the region has significant implications for regional security and stability. The Australian government and other regional players are closely monitoring the situation, and there are concerns about the potential consequences of China’s military build-up in the region. The rules-based international order is under strain, and there are challenges posed by disinformation, interference, and cyber attacks. The situation highlights the need for a Pacific-first approach to peace and security, and for outside players to respect sovereignty and Pacific-led approaches.