PLAN deploys to the Gulf of Aden
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced on 28 April that it has deployed its 35th task force from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to the Gulf of Aden, to escort civilian ships in the region.
The 35th task group will also support vessels off the coast of Somalia, where the PLAN has been carrying out naval escort missions since December 2008.
Taking part in the mission is the guided-missile destroyer Taiyan, the missile frigate Jingzhou and a supply ship Chaohu. At least two naval helicopters are also operated from the vessels. It is the first time that Taiyan and Jingzhou have deployed to the Gulf of Aden region.
In total, 690 naval officers and soldiers are part of the 35th task group, which was despatched from the port of Zhoushan in Zhejiang Province.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Taiwan entrusts USVs with task of deterring a PLA amphibious invasion
Drawing lessons from Ukraine’s Black Sea experience, Taiwan is investing heavily in unmanned surface vessels to strengthen its asymmetric defence strategy against potential PLA amphibious assaults.
-
US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities
The USCG has been increasing efforts to accelerate the process to develop, procure, deploy and sustain autonomous and counter-uncrewed systems across its fleet.
-
Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win
A fighting force such as the Royal Navy must inevitably focus on its core capabilities, platforms and readiness. But to avoid unexpected outcomes and costly oversights, a complex organisation like this needs to be underpinned by sound enterprise-level risk management principles and systems.