Posted by: Horseed Staff China is to deploy a new naval escort fleet to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia in mid-August, the Ministry of National Defense has announced. 11 August, 2026The fleet will take over from China’s 48th naval escort fleet, which began its current mission in October last year, the ministry said on Tuesday. The new deployment will be China’s 49th naval escort fleet to operate in the region. According to the defence ministry, Chinese naval escort missions have protected more than 7,000 Chinese and foreign vessels since then, while also responding to ships in distress. Chinese naval vessels have additionally taken part in evacuations of Chinese citizens and foreign nationals from countries affected by conflict.