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

It is reported that a Chinese naval fleet, 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 has confirmed that it has been monitoring the fleet since it was first spotted in international waters near northeastern Queensland last week. This continuous monitoring ensures Australia remains vigilant about maritime activities in its vicinity.

The People's Liberation Army Navy fleet includes a Type 055 guided-missile destroyer, the "Zunyi," considered one of the most advanced warships in the world. Sam Roggeveen, a defense analyst at the Lowy Institute, stated, "It's one of the largest warships in the world, a genuinely powerful and modern warship." Its advanced capabilities make it a significant asset for the Chinese navy.

The "Zunyi" has a displacement of approximately 12,000 tonnes, larger than similar vessels built by the U.S. Navy. It 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 a significant expression of the ambitions of the People's Liberation Army Navy, and it is a powerful design," Roggeveen said, highlighting its strategic importance.

Despite China's display of military strength, Roggeveen believes that deploying warships so close to the Australian coast also presents logistical challenges. "It is very difficult to deploy ships regularly and continuously over such vast distances. China is still not able to do that; they can do it occasionally, but not with high frequency." This limitation suggests that sustained presence requires significant resources and infrastructure.

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. "It means we will spend a lot of resources monitoring these activities... If we have one or more (Chinese) bases in our near region, it will become the norm. The entire Defence Force will have to spend more time and money keeping a close eye on it." Such a development would necessitate a significant shift in Australia's defense strategy and resource allocation.