Die australische Verteidigungsstreitkräfte wussten 40 Minuten lang nichts über Chinas „disruptive“ Live-Fire-Übung

By Stephen Dziedzic and Andrew Greene:

*[…] Defence Chief Admiral David Johnston told Senate estimates that Air Services Australia were warned of the drills at around 10am on Friday, after commercial airlines picked up a radio broadcast from the Chinese naval task group.*

*The agency alerted Defence about 10 minutes later — at around 10:10am — meaning it was only aware of the exercises 40 minutes after China’s navy opened a „window“ for live-fire exercises from 9:30am.*

*In evidence to Senate estimates, Defence said New Zealand’s navy also picked up the message and passed it on to the Australian Defence Force — but that alert did not reach them until around 11:00am.*

*[…] Admiral Johnston said he agreed the notification was „inadequate“ and reiterated that Australia would have preferred China’s navy to give at least 24-48 hours‘ notice.*

*When pressed on whether the Chinese navy’s behaviour could be described as „provocative“, Admiral Johnston said he would describe it as „irresponsible“ and „disruptive“.*

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**How Australia was notified of live fire on Friday 21 February**

*9:30am: The Chinese task group begins their live-firing drill.*

*9:58am: Virgin pilot notifies Airservices Australia.*

*10:00am: Airservices Australia alerts flights about the exercise.*

*About 10:10am: Airservices Australia notifies the Australian Defence Force.*

Didn’t know because China didn’t fire live ammunition in this „live fire“ drill.

>Australia says no live firing seen or heard from Chinese ships

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250221-australia-says-no-live-firing-seen-or-heard-from-chinese-ships