ADF monitoring Chinese warships operating off Australian coastline days after ‘unsafe’ fighter plane incident

Australia has demanded answers from Beijing after a Chinese warplane dropped flares on a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) surveillance aircraft.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) revealed the “unsafe and unprofessional” encounter over the South China Sea on Thursday.

The ADF also said it was monitoring three Chinese warships lurking off Australia’s northeast coast.

“On 11 February 2025, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft conducting a routine maritime surveillance patrol in the South China Sea experienced an unsafe and unprofessional interaction with a PLA-AF J-16 fighter aircraft,” Defence said in a statement.

“The PLA-AF aircraft released flares in close proximity to the RAAF P-8A aircraft.

“This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel.”

No personnel were injured and the P-8A was not damaged in the incident.

“Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner,” Defence said.

“For decades, the ADF has undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region, and does so in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace.”

It is the latest in a series of incidents in recent years.

Last year, a Chinese fighter jet detonated flares near an Australian Navy helicopter.

In 2022, another Chinese fighter jet released chaff in front of a P-8A, damaging the Australian aircraft.

Chinese warships off Australia

The ADF said two People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) frigates and a replenishment vessel were navigating the Coral Sea.

While Defence sources said the ships were abiding by international law, NewsWire understands one of the ships passed through the Torres Strait.

“Defence is aware of a People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) task group operating to the north east of Australia,” the ADF said.

“Defence can confirm the Chinese vessels are the PLA-N Jiangkai-class frigate named Hengyang; the PLA-N Renhai cruiser named Zunyi and the PLA-N Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu.”

Defence said the ships had “travelled through Southeast Asia, before entering Australia’s maritime approaches”.

“Australia respects the rights of all states to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law, just as we expect others to respect Australia’s right to do the same,” the ADF said.

“Defence will continue to monitor the activities of the task group in Australia’s maritime approaches with a combination of capabilities, including air and maritime assets.”