Commercial Airliners Rerouted Due to Chinese Military Drills in the Tasman Sea

Introduction to the Incident

Picture this: commercial airliners flying over the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand were forced to reroute their flights on Friday morning Australian time because of a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) action group warning that it would conduct live-fire drills. This incident underscores the complexities of international maritime law, communication between nations, and the impact of military exercises on civilian air traffic.

Australia had earlier announced on Feb. 13 that it was monitoring the PLAN task group, comprised of cruiser CNS Zunyi (107), frigate CNS Hengyang (568) and fleet oiler CNS Weishanhu (887) while the PLAN ships were operating north of Australia. The task group has since sailed into the Tasman Sea, which lies between Australia and New Zealand. On Friday, Australian media channel ABC News reported Emirates flight UAE3HJ from Sydney to Christchurch was directly warned at 11 a.m Sydney time by the PLAN task group to avoid airspace this morning. ABC News also reported commercial pilots have been warned to avoid airspace between Australia and New Zealand because of the drills and that warnings remain in place. Airlines flying over the area are diverting flights.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a Friday press conference said the PLAN task group was operating outside Australia’s 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and that the notice, which was issued in accordance with practice, had expired. He added Australian Defence Force (ADF) Chief Adm. David Johnston had advised that it was not clear if any live fire occurred. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong will make Australia’s representation to China Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a meeting during the G20 summit currently occuring in South Africa. Albanese also said he discussed the matter with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and that Australian and New Zealand ships and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft have been monitoring the PLAN task group.

In an interview with ABC Radio, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the Australian government had not been directly informed by China about the live firing. “To be clear, we weren’t notified by China… What China did was put out a notification that it was intending to engage in live firing. By that I mean a broadcast that was picked up by airlines or literally planes that were commercial planes that were flying across the Tasman (Sea),” said Marles according to a transcript. He went on to say the PLAN task group was operating in international waters and in compliance with international law, but when the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) conducted live firings, Australia would give 12-24 hours notice so airlines could properly plan around such activities. Marles said the situation was very disconcerting for the planes that were flying, but they were able to divert and no one was placed in danger. The Australian Deputy Prime Minister said Australia would make representations to the Chinese government in Canberra and Beijing.

“Looking at the bigger picture, in respect of what it is they are seeking to achieve in terms of the live fire exercises in this particular place, but also why more notice was not provided such that less disruption would have occurred,” said Marles. Along with RAN and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) assets, Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) frigate HMNZS Te Kaha (F77) was shadowing the PLAN task group, Marles said.

“There’s a very coordinated effort here between Australia and New Zealand to make sure that we’re monitoring all that the Chinese Task group are doing, so long as they are in our vicinity. And we’ll keep doing that until the task group leaves. And whenever their mission is over, we will fully assess exactly what it is that they’ve been trying to achieve,” stated Marles.

Australia’s Defence Department on Thursday also released three images dated Feb. 13 showing frigate HMAS Arunta (FFH151) shadowing the PLAN surface action group. Te Kaha left Devonport Naval Base on Feb. 12 for a six-month Middle East deployment. It is unclear as to whether its shadowing the PLAN task group has delayed its expected arrival in the Middle East. The RNZN has a limited number of ships, with a total fleet of eight ships – two being inshore patrol craft. Te Kaha’s sister, HMNZS Te Mana (F111), was last reported in August 2024 to be in an extended maintenance period, while fleet oiler HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) is currently in the Antarctic conducting a resupply mission to research stations there. This leaves offshore patrol vessels HMNZS Otago (P148) and HMNZS Wellington (P55) and multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury (L421) available.

In an interview with New Zealand radio channel Newstalk ZB on Thursday, New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins called the PLAN despatching ships with advanced capabilities to operate around Australia and New Zealand an unusual move.

“They’re really quite stunning pieces of equipment and we’ve never seen them in this area before,” said Collins. The New Zealand Defence Minister said New Zealand has a number of assets – including its P-8A Poseidons, frigates and others – to monitor the PLAN ships, “and we’re working along with the Australians just to keep an eye on things and make sure everyone knows we’re watching.”

The PLAN surface task group had been earlier reported by the Philippines military as transiting through the Philippines’ archipelagic sea lanes from Feb.1-4. The Philippines military claimed that the transit was not conducted in accordance with international norms, with the PLAN ships transiting without prior diplomatic coordination and maintaining unusually slow speeds during the transit.

Meanwhile, an Iranian Navy task group consisting of frigate IRIS Dena (75) and naval auxiliary IRIS Shahid Marjni docked into the Port Klang Cruise Terminal on Friday for an operational visit, according to a Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) social media post. Official Malaysian shipping schedules showed that the Iranian ships will depart on Monday and that their last port of call before Port Klang was Bandar Abbas, Iran. The Port Klang Cruise Terminal was the one-time base of operations for Leonard ‘Fat Leonard’ Francis though it has since undergone a succession of owners, with the U.S. Navy resuming carrier visits there with the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) in November 2024 and the Carl Vinson CSG over the new year period. The terminal sees regular use by foreign warships because of its proximity to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur and its availability in contrast to the commercial ports located nearby.

The purpose of the deployment has not been disclosed, however, earlier Indonesian media reports had stated that Iran will send a naval task group for the Indonesian Navy’s multilateral exercise Komodo 2025 held in Bali from Feb. 15-22. However, the task group is now too late to participate in that. Iran deployed a task group to the Indo-Pacific in 2022-2023 with Dena and Expeditionary Sea Base IRIS Makran (441), calling into Jakarta in November 2022 before being sighted in French Polynesia in December and subsequently in the Australian EEZ. USNI News reported in January 2023 that the Iranian ships were headed to Brazil and reported in April 2023 that the two ships were in South Africa.

Geopolitical Context

The Indo-Pacific Region’s Strategic Importance

The Indo-Pacific region is a critical geopolitical arena, with the Tasman Sea serving as a vital maritime corridor connecting Australia, New Zealand, and other Southeast Asian nations. The strategic importance of this region cannot be overstated, as it encompasses some of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes and is a key area for global energy and resource extraction. The recent Chinese military drills in the Tasman Sea highlight the region’s growing significance and the tensions that can arise from competing interests and military activities.

China’s Military Presence and Exercises

China’s military presence in the Indo-Pacific has been on the rise, with the country increasingly asserting its maritime claims and conducting military exercises in the region. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has been actively engaged in various activities, including live-fire drills, which have drawn concern from neighboring countries. These exercises are seen as a show of force, intended to demonstrate China’s military capabilities and deter potential threats. However, they also raise questions about the balance between military activities and civilian safety, particularly in areas with significant air traffic.

Australia and New Zealand’s Role in Regional Security

Australia and New Zealand play crucial roles in regional security, with both countries maintaining strong military and naval presence in the Indo-Pacific. Their cooperation and coordination in monitoring the Chinese military activities in the Tasman Sea underscore the importance of regional security cooperation. Both nations have expressed concern over the lack of prior notification from China regarding the live-fire drills, highlighting the need for better communication and transparency in military activities.

International Law and Diplomacy

Maritime Law and Military Exercises

The conduct of military exercises in international waters is governed by international law, which aims to prevent conflicts and ensure the safety of civilian activities. The lack of prior notification from China regarding the live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea raises questions about the country’s adherence to these international laws. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication and transparency in military activities to prevent accidents and ensure regional stability.

Communication Protocols and Notification Standards

The incident also highlights the need for clearer communication protocols and notification standards between nations. While China claims to have acted in accordance with international law, the lack of prior notification to Australia and New Zealand has drawn scrutiny. This raises concerns about the transparency and regional security practices, as well as the potential for future incidents. The incident underscores the importance of clear and timely communication to prevent accidents and ensure regional stability.

Diplomatic Responses and Future Implications

The diplomatic responses from Australia and New Zealand to the Chinese military drills have been relatively muted, reflecting the need for diplomatic balance amidst trade relationships with China. However, the incident has also sparked discussions on future protocols and cooperation to address such exercises preemptively. The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities of military activities in international waters and the importance of clear communication and transparency to prevent future disruptions.

Military Capabilities and Deployments

Advanced Naval Vessels in the Region

The deployment of advanced naval vessels by China in the Indo-Pacific region highlights the strategic importance of the region and the potential for increased military presence. The PLAN task group, which includes the cruiser CNS Zunyi (107), frigate CNS Hengyang (568), and fleet oiler CNS Weishanhu (887), is equipped with modern weapons and capabilities, reflecting China’s growing military prowess. The presence of these vessels in the Tasman Sea has drawn concern from neighboring countries, particularly Australia and New Zealand, which have expressed concern over the potential risks to civilian air traffic.

Coordinated Monitoring Efforts by Australia and New Zealand

The coordinated monitoring efforts by Australia and New Zealand in response to the Chinese military drills underscore the importance of regional security cooperation. Both nations have deployed naval and air assets to track the PLAN task group, reflecting a proactive approach to regional security. The incident highlights the need for enhanced surveillance and military capabilities to respond to such incidents, as well as the importance of clear communication and transparency to prevent future disruptions.

The Role of Other Regional Actors

The presence of other regional actors, such as the Iranian naval task group in Malaysia, adds another layer to the complex security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. The deployment of advanced naval vessels by Iran in the region highlights the potential for increased military presence and the need for regional cooperation to address such activities. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication and transparency in military activities to prevent accidents and ensure regional stability.

Implications and Future Outlook

Potential for Increased Military Presence in the Indo-Pacific

The recent Chinese military drills in the Tasman Sea highlight the potential for increased military presence in the Indo-Pacific region. The deployment of advanced naval vessels by China in the region reflects the country’s growing military prowess and its strategic interests in the area. However, the incident also raises questions about the balance between military activities and civilian safety, particularly in areas with significant air traffic.

Enhancing Communication and Coordination Between Nations

The incident underscores the importance of clear communication and transparency in military activities to prevent accidents and ensure regional stability. The lack of prior notification from China regarding the live-fire drills has drawn scrutiny and raised concerns about the country’s adherence to international laws. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for enhanced communication and coordination between nations to address such exercises preemptively.

Balancing Military Exercises with Civilian Air Traffic Needs

The impact of the Chinese military drills on civilian air traffic highlights the need for a balanced approach to military activities and civilian safety. The rerouting of commercial flights due to the live-fire exercises has caused operational disruptions and inconvenience for travelers. The incident underscores the importance of clear communication and transparency in military activities to prevent future disruptions and ensure the safety of civilian air traffic.

When We Zoom Out

The rerouting of commercial airliners over the Tasman Sea due to live-fire drills by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) highlights growing military activity in the Indo-Pacific region. This incident underscores the complexities of international maritime law, communication between nations, and the impact of military exercises on civilian air traffic. The involvement of both Australian and New Zealand forces in monitoring the situation, along with the presence of an Iranian naval task group in Malaysia, indicates a dynamic and evolving security landscape in the region.

The Essentials

The incident highlights the need for clear communication and transparency in military activities to prevent accidents and ensure regional stability.
The deployment of advanced naval vessels by China in the region reflects the country’s growing military prowess and its strategic interests in the area.
The impact of the Chinese military drills on civilian air traffic underscores the importance of a balanced approach to military activities and civilian safety.
The coordinated monitoring efforts by Australia and New Zealand underscore the importance of regional security cooperation and the need for enhanced surveillance and military capabilities to respond to such incidents.

The evolving security landscape in the Indo-Pacific region requires a proactive and coordinated approach from all stakeholders to address the challenges posed by increased military activity and ensure the safety of civilian air traffic.

NeonHorizon

“Tasman Sea Tensions: Chinese Military Drills Disrupt Civilian Flights, Spark Regional Concerns”