Chinese Navy Conducts Advanced Anti-Piracy Drills in Gulf of Aden.

According to information published by the Chinese MoD on October 30, 2024, Chinese Navy’s 46th Escort Task Force, currently on an anti-piracy mission, has been intensively conducting specialized drills to hone capabilities in counter-terrorism, anti-piracy, armed rescue, and joint search and rescue operations.
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Chinese PLA Navy Type 052D destroyer firing its Type 730 Close-In Weapon System. (Picture source: Weibo)

A recent exercise on the guided-missile frigate Jiaozuo exemplifies the navy’s coordinated air-sea training approach. During a simulated threat scenario involving a “suspicious vessel” near their patrol route, the Jiaozuo received orders to deploy its shipborne helicopter on combat alert for reconnaissance. The helicopter conducted low-altitude surveillance and patrol, using the Honghu frigate’s deck as an alternative landing point for repeated takeoff and landing practice before safely returning to the Jiaozuo. This air-sea coordination drill highlighted the operational synergy between vessels and aircraft within the task force.

Following the air-sea coordination, the task force moved seamlessly into a high-stakes armed rescue drill. In the Jiaozuo’s command center, task force personnel, including dedicated staff officers, divided into specialized teams to formulate rapid-response plans. Each team operated on a simulated timeline, creating contingency scenarios to aid commanders in swift decision-making. Under the command center’s direction, the task force executed simulated rescue operations, demonstrating their swift adaptability to potential maritime emergencies.

According to task force leaders, the emphasis on comprehensive training has been a focus since the mission's inception. Each position, platform, and team within the fleet is rigorously tested to optimize readiness for the complex demands of escort operations. This “capacity upgrade” process has significantly improved both command-level coordination and crew competency.

Medical preparedness is also woven into the task force's training regimen. Onboard the Jiaozuo, the medical team simulated battlefield trauma care using a scenario involving a “gunshot wound” to the abdomen. Military doctors conducted emergency procedures and life-support drills.

Piracy

Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters has seen fluctuating trends in 2024, marked by a resurgence of high-severity incidents. Despite a global decrease in piracy rates, piracy remains persistent in this region, largely due to geopolitical instability and economic incentives for Somali pirate groups. Notably, Somali pirates have recently resumed hijackings, employing fishing vessels as "mother ships" to launch skiff-based attacks on passing merchant ships, especially those less protected by armed security or defensive measures.

Pirate tactics in the Gulf of Aden often include kidnapping crews for ransom, with recent months witnessing heightened violence against captured individuals. While many attacks are thwarted by security teams and vessel hardening measures, pirates continue to exploit vessels lacking rigorous defenses. Reports highlight cases where pirates intercept vessels using false distress calls or approach vessels under the guise of local fishermen, increasing the risk of misunderstandings and violence.

The ongoing regional conflict, particularly involving Houthi attacks and Iranian-backed groups, has also destabilized the Gulf of Aden, further threatening commercial shipping. The recent uptick in anti-ship missile and drone attacks, some targeting vessels linked to Western interests, underscores the rising regional complexity. Consequently, international naval task forces such as the U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian and the European Union’s Operation Aspides have expanded their protective scope to secure critical shipping routes in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.