Sailing in Australia’s exclusive economic zone, the three vessels were not breaking international law, but they were unusually far south on an undeclared mission.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has insisted the presence of Chinese warships off the Australian coast does not highlight a gap in the country's naval capability. He was speaking today as the intentions of the naval flotilla remain unclear,

Australian officials said the ships were “off the east coast of Australia” and their presence there was unusual.