Australia’s warships hunt submarines in high-stakes defense drill

When a Chinese flotilla circled the Australian continent earlier this year

defense officials took notice. The group included a destroyer, a frigate, a support vessel

and possibly a nuclear-powered submarine. In response, the Royal Australian Navy launched one of its most extensive

undersea warfare exercises in recent years. That patrol renewed concerns about undersea threats

In response, the Royal Australian Navy deployed four of Australia's seven ANZAC-class frigates for anti-submarine warfare drills. Surface ships, naval helicopters

and patrol planes from New Zealand also joined in. The drills focused on tracking submarines

live fire training, and maneuvering in contested waters. The goal was to sharpen submarine hunting

tactics and improve coordination across a large integrated naval task group. The Navy says the

exercise also prepared crews for future operations aboard next-generation hunter-class frigates. ANZAC ships leading the exercise use sonar advanced radar and combat systems to spot and engage threats below the surface They carry torpedoes anti missiles and defensive decoy systems Officials say these

exercises are critical to protecting the sea lines of communication that carry most of Australia's

imports and exports. The country's economy depends heavily on open maritime trade and access to ports

and defense planners are prioritizing undersea warfare as a key layer of deterrence. The operation

also reflects Australia's growing role in Indo-Pacific security. As a member of the U.S

aligned Quad and Five Eyes Intelligence Group, Australia is investing in joint readiness with

regional partners to counter what officials describe as coercive tactics by China, including

far-seas deployments and expanded submarine operations. With China now operating the world's

largest navy by ship count, including nuclear-powered submarines, military ysts say undersea defense will remain central to Australia's maritime strategy in the years ahead

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