Chinese Military Efficiently Counteracts Dutch Infringing Vessels and Aircraft: Experts Explain Significant Upgrade in Dispersal Operations

On May 27, the Dutch Navy frigate "De Ruyter" illegally intruded into China's Xisha Islands, with its onboard helicopter repeatedly taking off and entering China's airspace. The Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army dispatched several 056A and 054A class frigates, among which the Chinese Navy ships 631 and 626 approached closely to drive away the Dutch Navy frigate "De Ruyter." The Chinese Navy ship 553 issued verbal warnings to the Dutch NH-90 helicopter. In addition, the Southern Theater Command also deployed aircraft armed with PL-10 air-to-air missiles to participate in the expulsion operation.

The Dutch Navy frigate "De Ruyter," which illegally intruded into our territorial waters, was designed and built in the early 21st century and belongs to the air defense frigate class of the seven provinces, serving as a main combat vessel of the Dutch Navy. "De Ruyter" left the Netherlands in mid-April this year to carry out a five-month long-range deployment mission called "Pacific Shooter." On May 22, "De Ruyter" visited Manila, Philippines, for a three-day visit, during which it conducted several joint exercises with the Philippine Navy, including communication drills and maneuver exercises. According to the Philippine News Agency, "De Ruyter" will also participate in the 2026 Rim of the Pacific military exercise to be held from June 24 to July 31 in the Hawaiian Islands and surrounding waters.

Military commentator Zhang Junsha stated in a media interview: “The 'De Ruyter' deliberately took a detour to the Xisha Islands to carry out provocative actions on its way from the Philippines to the Hawaiian Islands, openly violating China's sovereignty. The ship and its onboard helicopter illegally intruded into our territorial waters and airspace, with obvious reconnaissance and probing intentions.”

In this incident, the Chinese Navy not only issued verbal warnings but also employed warning electronic jamming. How do you view this method?

Military commentator Du Wenlong believes that this expulsion operation represents a significant upgrade compared to previous actions. If proactive electronic jamming is used, the opponent's communication lines, data links, and radar systems will all fall into a state of blindness and deafness, so their course and actions will be significantly affected, and the commanders and crew on board will be in a state of extreme terror.

Regarding this incident, the Southern Theater Command reported using the phrase "three serious" multiple times: a serious violation of China's territorial sovereignty and air and maritime security, a serious violation of international law and basic norms of international relations, and a serious disruption of peace and stability in the South China Sea. Du Wenlong stated that the severity of the wording this time is higher than before, for several reasons.

First, the Netherlands is a habitual offender, having previously conducted so-called "freedom of navigation" operations in the Taiwan Strait and openly provoked. This time, in the South China Sea, it even took off and landed helicopters, which is a very serious nature. The Dutch military should reflect on what role their actions are actually playing.

Second, it seriously infringes on China's sovereignty, which is not in the previous gray area. Once navigating within China's territorial waters and airspace, or even taking off and landing helicopters, this is a dangerous action. Therefore, the Chinese military can use all means to conduct effective deterrence.