The Defence has confirmed that an Australian surveillance plane is monitoring four Chinese warships in the Philippine Sea, which could potentially approach Australia. Chief of Defence Admiral David Johnston provided details of the People’s Liberation Army-Navy task group, located around 500 nautical miles north of Palau. He emphasized the ADF’s commitment to tracking the task group and collaborating with regional partners, including the US, as it may navigate towards Australian waters. Defence Minister Richard Marles reiterated the ADF’s ongoing maritime domain awareness in the area.
