China's 45th naval fleet sets sail for escort mission in Gulf of Aden

The 45th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy for an escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia carries out training on Aug. 24, 2023. (Photo by Wang Yuanfang/Xinhua)

QINGDAO, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The 45th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Tuesday set sail from a military port in the coastal city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, to take over an escort mission from the 44th naval fleet in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.

The 45th fleet is composed mainly of naval troops and equipment from the PLA Northern Theater Command, including the guided-missile destroyer Urumqi, the missile frigate Linyi, the comprehensive replenishment vessel Dongpinghu, dozens of special forces personnel and two helicopters.

In preparation for the mission, the fleet carried out meticulous analysis and improved its plans for escort and replenishment missions. It also carried out targeted training for scenarios such as the rescue of hijacked commercial ships, the combating of terrorists and pirates, and the practical use of weapons.

The 45th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy for an escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia carries out training on Aug. 25, 2023. (Photo by Wang Yuanfang/Xinhua)

The 45th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy sets sail from a military port in the coastal city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 12, 2023, to take over an escort mission from the 44th naval fleet in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. (Photo by Wang Yuanfang/Xinhua)