For nearly a month, a Chinese naval flotilla made a bold and unprecedented move—sailing around Australia, a key U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific. The task group, consisting of a destroyer, a frigate, and a replenishment ship, executed a complete circumnavigation of the Australian continent, moving in and out of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and even conducting live-fire drills near commercial airspace.

Though China’s maneuvers were legal under international law, the message was clear: Beijing is flexing its military muscle in Australia’s backyard. The fleet passed within 300 nautical miles of Perth, where a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine had recently docked, further amplifying tensions. For many in Australia, this move underscored their nation’s growing vulnerability, sparking concerns about its aging naval fleet and its increasing reliance on the United States for defense.

Australian Officials Sound the Alarm

Australian officials have been vocal about the implications of China’s show of force. Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles stated that while China complied with international law, Australia was closely monitoring the situation to fully assess Beijing’s objectives. Former naval officials and defense analysts highlighted the stark contrast between China’s modernized navy and Australia’s aging fleet.

The Royal Australian Navy, the smallest it has been since World War II, has been struggling with outdated vessels and logistical shortcomings. A stark comparison: while the two Chinese warships in the flotilla had 144 vertical missile launch cells combined, the entire Australian fleet of 10 warships only has 200. Additionally, both of Australia’s key naval tankers, which are crucial for long-distance operations, have been out of commission for months.

Some Australian leaders fear this naval exercise is just the beginning. Peter Hartcher, a senior political analyst, pointed out that China’s maneuvers highlighted Australia’s military inadequacies at a time when U.S. foreign policy is in flux. With elections looming in Australia, defense has now become a hot-button issue.

China has been dismissive of Australia’s concerns, stating that its naval operations were routine exercises conducted in international waters. Chinese officials, including Ambassador Xiao Qian, have suggested that Australia should simply “get used to” China’s expanding presence in the Indo-Pacific.

This rhetoric aligns with China’s broader military strategy. Its navy, the largest in the world by hull count with over 370 vessels, has been steadily increasing its reach beyond its immediate region. Similar naval maneuvers have been observed near Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, and China has been strengthening its presence in the South Pacific, including a recent naval visit to Vanuatu.

For Beijing, these moves serve a dual purpose: they demonstrate China’s capability to operate far from home, while also putting pressure on regional powers like Australia to shift their resources closer to their own shores instead of focusing on operations near China.

The U.S. Response: Support for Australia

Amid growing concerns over China’s military encirclement of Australia, the United States has taken steps to reassure its ally. The U.S. Navy deployed the missile-armed cruiser USS Shiloh to the South Pacific, making a stop in French Polynesia as part of broader efforts to project American military presence in the region.

The United States has also doubled down on its security commitments to Australia through the AUKUS alliance, a trilateral agreement between the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. As part of this pact, Australia recently made a $500 million down payment to the U.S. for assistance in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines.

The recent developments have raised a crucial question: is Australia entering a new era of geopolitical tension, where Chinese warships sailing close to its shores become a routine occurrence?

China’s increasing naval presence near Australia is widely seen as a response to Australian and allied military activities near China, particularly in the Taiwan Strait. Beijing has long viewed foreign naval operations in these waters as provocative, and it appears to be signaling that it can play the same game.

Meanwhile, Australia is pushing ahead with plans to modernize its navy, but results may not be visible until the 2030s. In the short term, it remains heavily reliant on U.S. military support to counterbalance China’s growing power.

ACZ Editor: Australia is a primary ally of the U.S., their importance cannot be overstated. While Trump has been ragging on allies to increase their military spending, the U.S. will not allow China to do circle Australia without letting them know we are here.