The Chinese espionage ship was allegedly trying to gather critical information about the global Exercise Talisman Sabre when the Australian air force came into contact with it, according to the first image of the incident released by the Australian Department of Defence (DoD).
Aerial footage of a RAAF P-8 Poseidon flying above a Chinese surveillance ship as it makes its way to Australia was provided by the Defence Department to the Australian Broadcasting Commission.
The picture was taken a week ago from a different military aircraft operated by Australia. The Dongdiao Class Auxiliary General Intelligence (AGI) vessel, a Chinese navy, was discovered in Coral Sea territorial waters.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) fleet identification number 793-designated Chinese ship was reportedly stationed off the Queensland coast on July 23, maybe as far south as Shoalwater Bay.
The fact that it was there led to worries that it might be trying to obtain private information about the global Exercise Talisman Sabre.
The Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, told the ABC that he gave the go-ahead for the deployment of a P-8 observation plane on July 20’s morning in order to make contact with the Chinese ship.
“It (P-8 surveillance aircraft) located the AGI, we hailed the AGI, we got a courteous response as you’d expect in normal interactions in international waters,” General Bilton told the media.
Bilton went on to say that the Australian military will modify and change its strategies and tactics in response to the Chinese surveillance ship’s passive data collection.
He emphasised that the Australian military has techniques to successfully use its forces without compromising those confidential parts and that they do not intend to expose some sensitive aspects of their training.
Talisman Sabre Military Exercise
Due to the size of this year’s Talisman Sabre exercises, which will take place across Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and the east coast of Australia, Australian defence and security analysts had predicted that Beijing would send two spy ships to the exercise.
According to Australian media, China’s Navy has proactively deployed at least one Auxiliary General Intelligence (AGI) vessel since 2017 with the express goal of conducting surveillance operations during each of the biennial training drills.
Using AGI vessels to spy on these drills on a regular basis shows China’s ongoing efforts to closely monitor and obtain data on the military operations and capabilities of the United States and its allies.
Thirty thousand people from thirteen nations are actively participating in this year’s Talisman Sabre exercise.
The drill, which is growing in scope and sophistication, mirrors current US strategic thinking towards deterring future military action by China against Taiwan.
In order to accomplish this goal, the United States wants to expand its network of regional alliances and improve the interoperability of its armed forces with friendly states.
The purpose of the exercise is to give soldiers a chance to practise several military manoeuvres, such as amphibious landings, ground manoeuvres, air combat, and marine operations.
The exercise also places a strong emphasis on logistics, letting the US to test its capacity for swift soldier and equipment deployment around the Pacific.
The Talisman Sabre exercises were once a joint venture between the US and Australia, but they have since changed. The most militaries from 13 countries, representing the 10th version, will take part in this iteration, which will cover a larger geographic area.
Japan is also taking part in the two-week military drill, and it even conducted a first-ever test firing of its Type-12 anti-ship missile in Australia. Additionally, Germany is joining for the first time, giving its military access to vast new training facilities.
Several military units from Pacific island states, where the US and China have been competing for influence over there, are also taking part in the drill. This includes nations like Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Tonga taking part.
In addition, observers from four countries, including India, are participating in the exercise. The largest-ever military exercise is under underway, and Chinese analysts have called it a “paper tiger.”
By including nations like Australia and other allies in the ongoing military drill, the United States, according to China’s state media, is attempting to surround China in the Indo-Pacific area. They claim that the purpose of this “unprecedented” exercise is to get ready for future armed war.
