China issued an alert about potential live-fire drills in international waters off the coast of New South Wales may conduct live-fire exercises today. This has forced the rerouting of several flights flying from Australia to New Zealand.

The Australian publication 9news reported on this.

China warned Australian authorities that its three warships in international waters off the coast of New South Wales the day before could have been conducting live fire drills. This forced several flights flying from Australia to New Zealand to be rerouted.

However, the Australian Defense Force cannot confirm whether the Chinese ships actually used real ammunition during the exercise.

Flight routes of civilian planes that had to be rerouted due to possible Chinese ship firing. Photo credits: 9news

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this afternoon confirmed Chinese authorities had issued the alert this morning, “including the potential use of live fire”, and that Australian and New Zealand forces had been monitoring the situation.

“It is the case that the notice was given. When that occurs, airlines are notified and stay out of the area. Airservices Australia also has been informed and has taken action as well.” Albanese said.

He said China’s actions were “consistent with international law” and that “according to the Department of Defence, there was no imminent risk of danger to any Australian or New Zealand assets.”

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that while Chinese naval exercises were conducted in accordance with international law in global waters, she had some concerns about the incident.

“Countries, including Australia and others, can conduct military exercises in international waters. When they do conduct those exercises, obviously notice is provided… we do have concerns about the transparency associated with this and the notice, and I certainly will be having a discussion with Foreign Minister Wang about that,” she said.

The Australian Defense Force reported that it had been monitoring a group of three ships – the Jiangkai Type 054A frigate Hengyang, the Renhai Type 055 destroyer Zunyi and the Fuchi Type 903 supply ship Weishanhu – since they had been spotted in international waters off the southern state of Queensland the week before.

The flotilla has come within about 150 nautical miles (276km) of Sydney and has remained in international waters.

The Type-055 class destroyers are considered to be the most powerful ships in the Chinese navy. The destroyer is equipped with the Type-346 Dragon Eye phased array radar and several other radars and sensors. It is assumed that the ship can transport two Z-20 helicopters in the hangar.

These ships are armed with a 130 mm H/PJ-38 artillery system, two vertical launchers for 64 and 48 containers. They are capable of launching HHQ-9 anti-aircraft missiles (range 200 km), YJ-18A anti-ship cruise missiles, CJ-10 cruise missiles, and Yu-8A anti-submarine missiles.

In addition, they are to be equipped with the YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship missile. A total of 16 ships of this type are planned to be built.