The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has recently undertaken a significant and strategically important set of naval exercises across various regions in the South China Sea. This demonstration of military prowess comes amidst concerns raised by experts regarding a joint exercise conducted by the United States and the Philippines, which some have speculated could be targeting Chinese islands and reefs.
The PLA Navy, in a press release issued on a Sunday, revealed that several vessels associated with a destroyer detachment linked to the PLA Southern Theater Command had engaged in a highly coordinated offense and defense exercise, simulating realistic combat conditions in the South China Sea. This exercise showcased China’s commitment to safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The assets participating in this elaborate exercise included the Type 055 10,000-ton-class guided missile destroyer Yan’an (Hull 106), the Type 052D guided missile destroyer Hefei (Hull 174), a conventional submarine, and a Z-9 anti-submarine helicopter. The photographic evidence accompanying the press release provided a visual record of the event.
Spanning several days, this extensive exercise saw the flotilla traverse multiple sea regions, engaging in a variety of training scenarios. These included anti-submarine warfare exercises, live-fire light arms shooting, and the takeoff and landing of vessel-borne helicopters. The breadth of these exercises showcased the PLA Navy’s multifaceted capabilities.
One notable segment of the exercise involved the Hefei detecting multiple waves of aerial targets closing in on the flotilla. In response, the flotilla swiftly mobilized to assume advantageous positions, employing anti-aircraft fire to intercept the incoming threats. Beyond aerial threats, the flotilla was also challenged by surface and underwater threats.
To assess the underwater situation, an anti-submarine helicopter was dispatched to conduct searches and checks in coordination with the vessels’ sonar systems. Simultaneously, the Hefei deployed a small boat to conduct close-in reconnaissance of the suspected surface target. This phase of the exercise unfolded as the flotilla transitioned into tactical assault formation, elevating its alert status. Ultimately, one of the warships fired its main gun, successfully eliminating the surface target, while flares were deployed to deter air threats from approaching.
Following several rounds of strikes, the flotilla received orders to relocate to another region for a back-to-back confrontational drill. This phase involved practicing the reconstruction of the flotilla’s regional air defense system while capitalizing on the advancements offered by the new-generation warships.
The overarching goal of this exercise was to expedite the integration of these new-type warships into the joint operational system. This, in turn, served to significantly enhance the flotilla’s capabilities across a wide spectrum of military operations, as per statements from the PLA Navy.
Importantly, the exercise was marked by the inclusion of air, surface, and underwater elements, with a Chinese military expert emphasizing that it involved some of the PLA Navy’s principal combat vessels. This comprehensive drill underscored the high level of combat readiness maintained by the PLA South Sea Fleet.
In a broader geopolitical context, it’s essential to note that this exercise coincided with a 12-day multilateral exercise named SAMASAMA, jointly conducted by the United States and the Philippines. SAMASAMA, taking place around Luzon in the Philippines, has prompted concerns over its potential implications for China, particularly focusing on China’s Huangyan Dao, also known as Huangyan Island.
Experts have clarified that the Chinese exercise was a routine undertaking and did not specifically target any third party. Instead, it was intended to demonstrate the PLA’s capabilities in defending national sovereignty, safeguarding territorial integrity, and preserving peace and stability within the South China Sea.
In recent months, the Philippines has engaged in provocations by dispatching vessels into waters near Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea, concurrently amplifying concerns related to Chinese interceptions. Chinese naval expert Zhang Junshe has underscored that the Philippines lacks military advantage when confronting China and that the United States is unlikely to engage in a military conflict with China on behalf of the Philippines. Zhang characterizes the Philippines as being used as a pawn in the U.S.’s containment strategy against China and cautions against any misjudgments on the Philippines’ part regarding the situation.
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