The U.S.-Australia TS21 exercise officially began on Wednesday, and the Australian military is closely tracking a Chinese intelligence vessel headed for waters off Queensland, the ABC reported. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the same day that he was “very vigilant” about the ship. But he added that the Australian government has “no objection” to the vessel entering international waters.
According to Australian defense sources, the “auxiliary general intelligence vessel” (AGI) is the Chinese Navy’s “Uranus” and is expected to arrive off Queensland on Friday. The report said the Uranus is expected to conduct surveillance of the U.S.-Australia “bodyguard saber” that officially opens on July 14. The ship is expected to remain outside Australian territorial waters, but will be in Australia’s exclusive economic zone in the Coral Sea to monitor the two-week military exercise.
According to the report, the Uranus is equipped with advanced communication systems and can also be able to collect and intercept radio signals, and several spherical radomes on board to protect the satellite dish are clearly visible, giving it a unique appearance.
“Known as “Australia’s largest combat exercise,” the Australian side has invited troops from Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the United Kingdom to participate in this year’s exercise. Their activities will include amphibious landings, ground force exercises, urban operations as well as air and naval operations.
Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutto confirmed that the Chinese naval general intelligence vessel Uranus was approaching Australia’s east coast through the Torres Strait and that the Australian military had been monitoring it for several days. He said the ship’s arrival was “a repeat of what the Chinese have been doing for the last few years” and that both covert and overt activities were linked to previous “Sabre Guard” exercises.
We fully anticipated the arrival of one of these ships during the exercise and planned for its presence, just as we have done in each iteration,” Darden said. The presence of a similar vessel did not impact the 2017 or 2019 ‘Bodyguard Sabre’ exercises, and we do not believe it will impede this year’s exercise.”
An Australian military official, who asked not to be named, said the Uranus was deliberately keeping a low profile. He said, “The ship is currently on full radio control (EMCON) and only sends out signals that are absolutely necessary.”
In an interview with Sydney’s Radio 2SM on Wednesday, Morrison said he was “very wary” of the ship. But he added that the Australian government has “no objection” to its presence in international waters.
Morrison said, “We don’t …… We don’t ask any questions, just as we don’t think there should be any questions when (anyone); whether it’s us or the Americans or the British or the French or anyone else, sails through the South China Sea”.
Morrison added, “Of course, we watch them. We’re aware of that. They’re watching us, too.”
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