PLA warship repels determined attack by pirate fleet

HELICOPTER gunships launched from the 17,600-20,000-tonne (displacement) Chinese assault ship Kunlunshan and the destroyer Lanzhou fired stun grenades and machine guns to repel a fleet of pirate skiffs off the Somali coast, reported state media.

Three waves of pirate skiffs swept into the attack on a 21-ship convoy under PLA escort. One skiff came within a mile of the freighter Haijie, reported the PLA Daily, but was chased off. Troops were then landed on the ship to protect the vessel.


The incident was not witnessed by other navies, reported the South China Morning Post, adding that PLA officials described the engagement to anti-piracy naval forces in the area.


"It was a very successful operation," said one Asian naval official, cited by the SCMP. "They seem more highly organised and eager to intervene. There was no panic. The pirates were persistent but driven off without loss of life."


The 200-metre long Kunlunshan is the only warship of its kind in the PLA fleet and believed to be central to any plan to invade Taiwan, able to carry large helicopters, fast patrol vessels and even hovercraft, said the SCMP.


SinoDefence.com said the Kunlunshan is the largest Chinese-designed combat ship in the PLA fleet, able to carry a 500-800 marines, 15~20 amphibious armoured vehicles and associated supplies.