internationaldefencedesk
February 17, 2025
A People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) Special Operations Forces (SOF) detachment has been deployed alongside the 46th PLA naval escort fleet to the Gulf of Aden as part of China’s ongoing anti-piracy and maritime security operations.
The 46th escort fleet, tasked with safeguarding commercial shipping and countering maritime threats, continues China’s longstanding naval presence in the region. Meanwhile, the succeeding 47th escort fleet is currently two months into its deployment, ensuring continuous operational coverage in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
China has been conducting escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia since 2008, contributing to international efforts to maintain maritime security. The inclusion of SOF detachments in these deployments underscores the PLA Navy’s emphasis on force protection, crisis response, and counter-piracy operations.
