Australia deploys P-8A to monitor Chinese vessel in EEZ

A file photo of a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon MPA. Australia has deployed the aircraft to monitor a Chinese research vessel that is operating within Canberra's EEZ. (Australian DoD)

Australia has deployed a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) to monitor the activities of a Chinese research vessel that is operating within Canberra's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In response to queries from Janes on 3 April, Australia's Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones replied in a statement that the P-8A aircraft is one of “multiple means” employed by the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) to monitor the Chinese vessel, Tan Suo Yi Hao.

According to further details provided in the statement, Tan Suo Yi Hao entered Australia's EEZ from the Tasman Sea on 27 March. It subsequently passed through the Bass Strait between 28 and 29 March.

As of 3 April Tan Suo Yi Hao is operating approximately 741 km (400 n miles) southeast of Perth, heading west at approximately 8 kt, Vice Adm Jones said.

Tan Suo Yi Hao is a 6,250 tonne, 94.45 m research vessel that the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) describes as a mother ship for 4,500 m and 10,000 m manned and unmanned submersibles.

These submersibles are operated by the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, CAS (IDSSE-CAS), the organisation said on its website.

It is fitted with 11 laboratories and a deep sea winch system, and it can collect sediments from depths of up to 10,000 m, read a description of the vessel on the website.

At this juncture, the Australian DoD has not observed the vessel conducting any maritime research or survey activities, Vice Adm Jones said in his statement.

“Defence is using multiple means to monitor the