The 11th naval escort taskforce of the Navy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) successfully completed the 450th escort mission on the morning of May 13, 2012, local time.
Up to now, the Chinese naval escort taskforce has completed the escorting missions for a total of 4,640 Chinese and foreign ships with a 100% success rate.
Ever since the first dispatch of the naval vessels for escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off the Somali coast on December 26, 2008, the Chinese Navy has sent a total of 11 escort taskforces and 28 ships. During the 3-plus years, the Chinese naval escort taskforces have successfully completed 450 missions for a total of 4,640 Chinese and foreign ships, rescued 48 ships from being chased, and received and protected 8 released ships. The Chinese naval escort taskforces have ensured the 100% safety of not only the Chinese and foreign ships navigating through the Gulf of Aden and the waters off the Somali coast, but also its own equipment and personnel.
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Naval Today Staff , May 14, 2012; Image: Chinese govt