Defence learned of Chinese live-fire exercises about 40 minutes after drill commenced

Australian Defence officials have stated that the Chinese Navy did not provide prior notification to Australia before conducting "disruptive" live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea last week. Australian authorities confirmed that they initially learned about the exercises through a pilot from Virgin Australia.

Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral David Johnston, stated at a Senate estimates hearing that Air Services Australia received a warning about the exercises around 10:00 AM last Friday, due to commercial airlines intercepting radio broadcasts from the Chinese naval task force. The agency notified the Department of Defence approximately 10 minutes later, around 10:10 AM. This means Australia was only aware of the situation 40 minutes after the Chinese Navy began its live-fire exercise "window" at 9:30 AM.

At the Senate estimates hearing, the Department of Defence indicated that the New Zealand Navy also intercepted the message and passed it on to the Australian Defence Force, but Australia did not receive the alert until around 11:00 AM. Vice Admiral Johnston stated that this delay was not surprising because Air Services Australia's communication channels are "more direct" than military procedures.

Vice Admiral Johnston explained to the Senate committee, "The military reporting chain would have reported through the New Zealand reporting system and then provided advice to Australia. So they heard the warning at the same time, but the manner in which it was reported from the aircraft is always more direct."

Opposition frontbencher James Paterson pressed senior Defence officials and officers on the timeline, stating that the Chinese Navy failed to provide even the most basic level of transparency. "If we only learn about an exercise after it's begun, that's not really a notification of an upcoming exercise," he said. Vice Admiral Johnston stated that he agreed the notification was "inadequate" and reiterated that Australia would like the Chinese Navy to provide at least 24-48 hours' notice.

Representatives from Air Services Australia told the parliamentary hearing that nearly 50 flights were forced to reroute after China signaled it would conduct dangerous exercises in busy international airspace. When asked if the Chinese Navy's actions could be described as "provocative," Vice Admiral Johnston stated that he would describe them as "irresponsible" and "disruptive."

The Department of Defence told the committee that the Chinese warships have now returned to Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone and are currently located approximately 250 kilometers south of Tasmania. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported this morning that Defence officials believe a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine may be accompanying the task force, at least for part of the deployment. The Chief of the Defence Force told the committee that it is currently unclear whether a Chinese submarine is in the waters near Australia. "I don't know if there is a submarine traveling with them, it's possible, task groups occasionally deploy with submarines, but not always," he said. "I am unable to confirm whether that is the case."