During the past few months, there have been multiple incidents that have taken place between Chinese forces and Western ships and aircraft that are participating in surveillance operations to implement sanctions against North Korea. These activities are being carried out on behalf of the “Pacific Security Maritime Exchange” (PSMX) network. The Australian government made the accusation on May 6 that a J-10 fighter jet belonging to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had obstructed the flight of an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter that was being flown from the destroyer HMAS Hobart, which was at the time engaged in a mission in the Yellow Sea.
After a month, the Dutch Ministry of Defense issued a statement condemning the actions taken by Chinese forces in the East China Sea targeting the Dutch air defense frigate HNLMS Tromp and the NH-90 NFH helicopter aboard the vessel. According to the ministry, a “potentially dangerous situation” was created as a result of this activity.
Two Chinese fighter jets were seen flying over the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate on multiple occasions, as explained in the explanations provided. Then, during a patrol flight, the NH-90 was approached by “two fighter jets and a Chinese helicopter. “The incident occurred in international airspace,” it was emphasized.
The ministry did not provide additional information; nevertheless, images of the Chinese planes that participated were made available on social media platform X. These displayed a Harbin Z-19 attack helicopter in addition to a Xi’an JH-7 “Flounder,” a two-seat ground attack aircraft that was initially inducted into the Chinese naval aviation in 1992.
The charges made by the Dutch Ministry of Defense have not yet been met with a response from Beijing. This occurrence may be connected to the fact that the frigate HNLMS Tromp recently traversed and passed through the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese authorities have not made any statements regarding this crossing despite being quick to react whenever a Western ship enters these seas.
The frigate HNLMS Tromp, which has a displacement of 6,000 tons, is well-armed with 64 surface-to-air missiles, including 32 SM2 Block IIIA and 32 RIM-162 ESSM, as well as Harpoon anti-ship missiles and Mark 46 torpedoes. It is outfitted with some of the most advanced surveillance equipment available, including a Sirius IRST long-range infrared surveillance system, an STN Atlas DSQS-24C bow sonar, an APAR search and navigation radar, and a SMART-L radar.
Following this incident, the Dutch frigate proceeded with its journey heading toward Japan.
Over the past several weeks, several European ships have embarked on their journey into the Indo-Pacific region. The French multimission frigate Bretagne will take part in the maneuvers that will take place along the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), and the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour is anticipated to be present in Australia for the Pitch Black exercise. The German Baden-Württemberg frigate and the replenishment oiler Frankfurt Am Main of the Deutsche Marine are expected to arrive in the vicinity where HNLMS Tromp is currently participating in surveillance activities to implement sanctions against North Korea.
