China Navy Task Force Replenishes in Philippine Sea, Satellite Images Show
New satellite imagery reveals a Chinese naval task force conducting underway replenishment operations in the Philippine Sea, according to analysis from naval platforms expert Mike Plunkett. The images, captured recently, depict a cruiser, a replenishment ship, and a frigate engaged in the transfer of fuel, supplies, and ammunition.
This exhibition of logistical capability underscores China’s growing naval power and its ability to sustain operations far from its home ports. The Philippine Sea is a key strategic waterway, and these exercises are closely watched by regional powers, particularly the Philippines and the United States, amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea. The ability to resupply at sea extends a navy’s operational range and endurance, allowing for prolonged deployments and a greater presence in contested areas.
According to Plunkett, a senior naval platforms analyst at intelligence firm Janes, the images clearly show the cruiser Yan’an connected via a line to the replenishment ship Luoma Hu, indicating an active transfer. A Jiangkai II-class frigate appears poised to join the replenishment operation as well.
Plunkett suggests the amphibious assault ship Hainan, observed moving away from the group, had likely just completed its own resupply.”All of the above are standard operations for any first-rate navy and the Chinese have been doing it successfully for many years,” he stated.
Replenishment at sea is a critical capability for modern navies. “The ability to replenish ships at sea means that navies are not tied to bases and can stay at sea for longer and further away than would otherwise be the case,” Plunkett explained. This latest activity highlights China’s increasing proficiency in projecting naval power across the Indo-Pacific region.
