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 THE CHINESE NAVY (PLAN) ANTI-PIRACY MISSION OFF SOMALIA By Jeff Head - Last Update: September 25, 2012 |
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The decision to send warships was carefully considered in light of what the interntial community was doing as a whole, both with the Euopean Union, the United States, theUnited Nations and others participating, and came after thWO incidents in 2008 involving Chinese commerical vessels. November 14, 2008 - the Tanyo 8 with a crew of 24, and owned by Tianjin Ocean Fishing Corp, was hijacked off the Kenya coast by Somali pirates. The crew and vessel released in February 2009 after paying an unknown ransom.The following map indicates the location of these attacks and how wide dispersed and spread out the problem is.
 Pictures like the following, of Chinese vessels being boarded and Chinese crewmen fighting back against pirates armed with automatic weapons and RPGs surely figured into the decision by the Chinese leaders.
  
Another, more detailed map of the Gulf of Arden and the Somalia Coast was produced by the UN regarding the priating activities in 2008. (Click on the map to be directed to the larger 6Mb PDF file)
 This page will pictorially document the vessels assigned to the anti-piracy mission, how long they are on station, and the types of operations they conduct. The PLAN anti-piracy task forces, or flotillas at the PLAN is calling them, stay on station apporximately three or four months before being replaced in rotation by another Task Force consisting of similar vessels. The operation escortes Chinese and other friendly vessels through pirate endangered waters, works with other nations vessels who are accomplishing the same mission, and investigates reports of attacks or pending attacks by Somali pirates. Numerous Chinese and other vessels now owe a thanks to the PLAN for safely escroting through those dangerous waters.
To date, four flotillas have been dispatched. In December of 2009, the 4th flotilla was increased to three warships with the addition of FFG-568, the Chaohu, a Type 54A, Jiangkai II Class frigate. It is expected that the fourth will return to China within the next month or two to be replaced by a fifth. The entire operation is giving the PLAN and many of its vessels and crews very valuable operational experience. It is rumored that the fifth flotilla may include the PLAN's new PLD, the 998 Kunlunshan.
The four different flotillas have comprised three different classes of guided missile destroyers, two different classes of guided missile frigates, and the latest class of replenshment vessels in the Chinese Navy. As listed above in the flotillas Section, a total of eleven different vessels from these various classes have gained this experience conducting the anti-piracy mission for the PLAN off Somalia to date. What follows is a listing of each class and its specifications.
(Click on any picture for a larger image) Each of the flotillas has formed up in chinese home waters, been given a warm and rousing farewell, and sent on their way to the waters of Somalia where they have performed admirably. In many cases operating alone, but also operating in conjunction with other nation's vessels as they investigate, track, prevent, thwart, and interdict pirate activities in the area conducted against any commercial shipping, and particularly in protecting chinese shipping in the area. As many as 1,000 vessels have been excorted and/or helped by the chinese vessels since their arrival.
    PLAN warships gather as flotillas in Chinese waters before setting off for Somalia.    PLAN warships make the long transit to the Indian Ocean where, on arrival they receive their instructions and mission plans.     PLAN warships escort commercial shipping, use their helicopters and PLAN special forces to protect shipping and interdict pirates.     PLAN warships escort commercial shipping, use their helicopters and PLAN special forces to protect shipping and interdict pirates.       PLAN warships escort commercial shipping, use their helicopters and PLAN special forces to protect shipping and interdict pirates. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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