Chilling audio recordings have revealed the tense moments before a Virgin Australia pilot became aware of Chinese warships conducting live-fire drills off Australia’s eastern coast as they flew past the region.
The cockpit audio, obtained through Freedom of Information laws, offers a glimpse into the instant the commercial pilot learned of the impending live-fire exercise by a Chinese warship in the Tasman Sea on February 21 this year.
The recording, acquired by 9News, captures the Virgin Australia pilot’s apprehension upon realizing the potential danger as the aircraft was heading towards the area, even before Australian authorities were informed about the situation.
The pilot took the initiative to notify Air Traffic Control (ATC) about the Chinese naval task force engaged in the live firing drill after receiving a warning directly from the Chinese navy moments earlier.
During the radio communication, the pilot asked ATC if they were aware of the situation, to which ATC seemed surprised and inquired about the firing level. The pilot clarified the proximity of the danger zone without specific details on the firing range.
A light-hearted exchange followed, with the pilot joking about the situation and ATC responding in kind before issuing an official broadcast to warn other aircraft of the hazard posed by the Chinese warship’s live firing exercise.
Although the Virgin Australia plane remained outside the immediate danger zone, a nearby Emirates flight had to be redirected due to its close proximity to the Chinese warship, along with 48 other planes altering their routes to avoid the military drills.
In a separate incident, a Qantas flight pilot sought information regarding the missiles’ expected altitude, with the Emirates pilot later confirming that the Chinese warship was firing at a much higher altitude than typical commercial flight levels.
Despite China downplaying the incident at the time, the Australian government sought assurances from Beijing regarding transparency in future military exercises. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raised these concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a recent visit to China.
Following discussions, PM Albanese emphasized the importance of adherence to international law and proper communication concerning military activities. In response, China defended its actions, asserting compliance with international standards and expressing dissatisfaction with perceived unwarranted criticism from Australia.
In the aftermath of the February incident, tensions between the two countries persisted, highlighting the importance of open dialogue and adherence to international norms in such situations.