The China warship just 150 nautical miles off Sydney is one of the world's most powerful

It is reported that a Chinese naval task force, including one of the world's most powerful warships, was detected just 150 nautical miles (276 kilometers) off the coast of Sydney. The Australian Defence Force confirmed today that it has been monitoring the fleet since it was first spotted in international waters off the northeast coast of Queensland last week. This continuous monitoring ensures Australia remains aware of the fleet's movements.

The People's Liberation Army Navy fleet includes the Type 055 guided-missile destroyer "Zunyi," considered one of the most advanced warships in the world. Defence analyst Sam Roggeveen of the Lowy Institute think tank stated, "It is one of the largest warships in the world, a genuinely powerful and modern warship." This highlights the significant advancements in China's naval capabilities and its commitment to modernizing its fleet.

The Type 055 destroyer reportedly has a displacement of approximately 12,000 tonnes, larger than comparable vessels built by the U.S. Navy. The ship is also equipped with 112 missile launch tubes, twice the firepower of the Royal Australian Navy's most lethal warships, the air warfare destroyers. "The Type 055 destroyer is an important expression of the People's Liberation Army Navy's ambitions. It's a powerful design," Roggeveen said, emphasizing its strategic importance.

Despite China's display of military strength, Roggeveen believes there are still logistical challenges in deploying Chinese naval vessels so close to the Australian coast. "It is very difficult to routinely and consistently deploy ships over such vast distances. China is still not able to do that; they can do it occasionally, but they can't maintain a high frequency." This suggests that while China is capable of projecting power, sustained presence remains a hurdle.

However, this situation could change if China were to acquire a naval base in the South Pacific. This would make it easier for the People's Liberation Army Navy to deploy warships along the Australian coastline, and the Australian Defence Force would have to increase its surveillance efforts. "That means we'll be expending a lot of resources monitoring these activities… If (China) has one or more bases in our near region, this will become commonplace. The entire Defence Force will have to spend more time and money keeping a close eye on it." This highlights the potential strategic implications of China's growing influence in the region.