Exercises Military Diplomacy

49th Chinese Naval Escort Task Force Departs for Gulf of Aden

China Military Online (EN) 14 August 2026

Summary

The PLAN's 49th escort task force departed Sanya on August 12, comprising guided-missile destroyer Kunming (Hull 172, Type 052D), guided-missile frigate Yueyang (Hull 575, Type 054A), and comprehensive supply ship Luomahu (Hull 907), along with special operations personnel and two embarked helicopters, to relieve the 48th task force in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters. This is a routine rotation in a continuous deployment China has maintained since 2008; its value is as a record of the current force composition for the 49th rotation, not as evidence of changed posture or expanded mission scope.

Translation

The escort task force consists of guided-missile destroyer Kunming, guided-missile frigate Yueyang, and comprehensive supply ship Luomahu, with dozens of special operations personnel and two ship-borne helicopters. The task force will take over duties from the 48th Chinese naval escort task force, which set sail in October last year.

In line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, China has maintained a regular naval escort presence in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters since 2008 to safeguard the security of international shipping routes, escort Chinese and foreign vessels, and rescue, protect, or assist ships in distress.

Guided-missile Destroyer Kunming (Hull 172)

PLANS Kunming (Hull 172) is a new type of guided-missile destroyer independently designed and built by China. With a length of about 160 meters and a full load displacement of around 6,700 tons, the ship is mainly tasked with task force command, regional air defense, surface strike, and anti-submarine alert, possessing strong regional air-defense and surface-warfare capabilities.

Guided-missile Frigate Yueyang (Hull 575)

PLANS Yueyang (Hull 575) is a new type of multi-purpose guided-missile frigate independently designed and built by China. Measuring about 130 meters in length, with a full load displacement of around 4,000 tons, it can execute far-sea escort and alert-patrol missions independently or jointly with other naval forces, featuring robust long-range warning and multi-dimensional combat capabilities.

Comprehensive Supply Ship Luomahu (Hull 907)

PLANS Luomahu (Hull 907) is a new type of ocean-going comprehensive supply ship independently designed and built by China. With a length of about 190 meters and a full load displacement of over 20,000 tons, it is capable of replenishing supplies underway via athwartship, longitudinal, and vertical methods.

(Video Editor: Huang Panyue)

Original text

By Jia Siyu, Feng Zhexin, Wang Huangfei, Deng Jiajin, Hu Xiushuai, Cai Shengqiu, Zhou Tianyu, Wen Bin, and Xiao Canwu SANYA, Aug. 13 -- On the morning of August 12, the 49th Chinese PLA Navy's escort taskforce departed from a military port in Sanya City, south China's Hainan Province, and headed for the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia to carry out escort missions. The escort taskforce consists of guided-missile destroyer Kunming, guided-missile frigate Yueyang and comprehensive supply ship Luomahu, with dozens of special operations personnel and two ship-borne helicopters. The taskforce will take over duties from the 48th Chinese naval escort taskforce, which set sail in October last year. In line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, China has maintained a regular naval escort presence in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters since 2008 to safeguard the security of international shipping routes, escort Chinese and foreign vessels, and rescue, protect or assist ships in distress. Guided-missile Destroyer Kunming (Hull 172) PLANS Kunming (Hull 172) is a new type of guided-missile destroyer independently designed and built by China. With a length of about 160 meters and a full load displacement of around 6,700 tons, the ship is mainly tasked with task force command, regional air defense, surface strike, and anti-submarine alert, possessing strong regional air-defense and surface-warfare capabilities. Guided-missile Frigate Yueyang (Hull 575) PLANS Yueyang (Hull 575) is a new type of multi-purpose guided-missile frigate independently designed and built by China. Measuring about 130 meters in length, with a full load displacement of around 4,000 tons, it can execute far-sea escort and alertpatrol missions independently or jointly with other naval forces, featuring robust long-range warning and multi-dimensional combat capabilities. Comprehensive Supply Ship Luomahu (Hull 907) PLANS Luomahu (Hull 907) is a new type of ocean-going comprehensive supply ship independently designed and built by China. With a length of about 190 meters and a full load displacement of over 20,000 tons, it is capable of replenishing supplies underway via athwartship, longitudinal, and vertical methods. (Video Editor: Huang Panyue)