Recent reports reveal that Chinese naval vessels have been observed just 150 nautical miles off Sydney, including the Renhai-class guided missile cruiser, Zunyi, which is considered one of the most advanced warships globally. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been tracking this flotilla since it first appeared in international waters near Queensland last week.
Defence analyst Sam Roggeveen from the Lowy Institute highlighted the Renhai-class as a significant statement of the People’s Liberation Army-Navy’s ambitions, noting its impressive firepower with 112 missile tubes—double that of Australia’s most formidable warship. At approximately 12,000 tonnes, these vessels are larger than their US Navy counterparts.
While China’s display of military power poses a concern, Roggeveen pointed out the logistical challenges of maintaining a consistent naval presence so close to Australia, suggesting that while the PLA Navy can occasionally deploy ships to the region, doing so at a sustained pace is difficult. However, this situation could shift if China were to establish a naval base further south in the Pacific, potentially altering the operational landscape and necessitating increased surveillance and resource allocation by the ADF. This scenario could significantly escalate monitoring efforts and costs for Australia’s Defence force.