Commercial Flights Diverted After CCP Warships Begin Surprise Live-Fire Exercise Near Australia

Airservices Australia has issued warnings to pilots flying over Tasman Sea airspace after the Chinese started a military exercise.

Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate, Hengyang, sailing within Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone, provided on Feb. 11, 2025. Courtesy of the Australian Department of Defence

Commercial flight paths between Australia and New Zealand have been disrupted after Chinese warships began preparing to fire live ammunition as part of an apparent military exercise.

The three People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels have traversed the Australian coastline for the past week with no indication of their motives, and came within 150 nautical miles (277 kilometres on land) of Sydney on Feb. 19.