Chinese fighter jets in close encounters with MSDF patrol plane over Pacific
Chinese fighter jets risked collisions with a Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C surveillance plane over the high seas in the Pacific Ocean in two close calls over the weekend that the Defense Ministry in Tokyo has characterized as 'abnormal approaches.'
The ministry said late Wednesday that a MSDF P-3C patrol plane monitoring China's Shandong aircraft carrier in the Pacific was followed by a Chinese J-15 that took off from the carrier for about 40 minutes Saturday and 80 minutes Sunday.
On Saturday, a J-15 fighter, which images showed was armed with missiles, flew to within 45 meters parallel of the surveillance plane — a short enough distance to risk a collision.
The following day, a J-15 crossed approximately 900 meters in front of the P-3C's flight path, a distance covered in a matter of seconds.
'These kinds of unusual approaches by Chinese military aircraft pose a risk of accidental collisions,' the ministry said.
Although there was no damage to the Japanese plane or injuries among its crew, officials said it had 'raised serious concerns' with the Chinese side, urging them to prevent such incidents from recurring.
A Chinese J-15 fighter jet conducts what Japan's Defense Ministry said was an "abnormal approach" to a Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C surveillance plane over the high seas in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday. |
DEFENSE MINISTRY / VIA JIJI
This was believed to be the third time since 2014 that Chinese aircraft have made such close approaches to Self-Defense Forces planes. All previous incidents occurred over the East China Sea.
The public disclosure of the latest incidents was delayed for several days in order to interview the P-3C's crew and analyze the flight data, media reports citing ministry officials said.
The incidents came as China's two operating aircraft carriers — the Shandong and Liaoning — were spotted conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific for the first time, the ministry announced earlier in the week.
Beijing confirmed late Tuesday that the two carriers had conducted the training "to test the forces' capabilities in far seas defense and joint operations," Chinese Navy spokesperson Senior Capt. Wang Xuemeng said, calling the exercises "routine training" that did not target any specific country.
Beijing has ramped up military exercises and training in recent months, highlighting its growing prowess ever farther from its shores.
The vast waters of the western Pacific Ocean have long been seen as one weak point in Japan's defense architecture, and the government, as part of its 2022 Defense Buildup Program, is working to deploy mobile early warning and control radars to the area to strengthen air defense capabilities there.
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