# 48th Escort Task Force

Sharp Practice in the Gulf: China’s 48th Task Force Elevates Combat Readiness Beyond Anti-Piracy

The Chinese navy’s 48th Escort Task Force recently completed a series of advanced combat drills in the Gulf of Aden, featuring night-time aviation operations and live-fire surface strikes. These exercises demonstrate a strategic shift toward using routine anti-piracy missions to hone high-end expeditionary warfare capabilities in international waters.