Latest news with #J-15
Newsweek
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
China Tests US Ally in Disputed Waters
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. South Korea—a United States ally in Northeast Asia—has voiced its concerns over China's unilateral declaration of "no-sail zones" in the disputed waters between the two countries. Newsweek has emailed the Chinese and South Korean foreign ministries for comment. Why It Matters Newsweek previously reported that China declared three zones banning the entry of ships within the Yellow Sea's Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ), an area established under a 2000 agreement where the Chinese and South Korean Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) overlap. These Chinese "no-sail zones" have been in effect since Thursday and are scheduled to end on Tuesday. Two were designated for military exercises, while no reason was assigned for the third—located entirely in South Korea's EEZ—although ships were still prohibited from entering it. This comes as China has installed three structures in the PMZ, which South Korea fears could mark the beginning of Chinese territorial expansion. Beijing is also being accused of "militarizing" the Yellow Sea by maintaining a persistent naval presence there. What To Know Citing a text message from an official at the South Korean Foreign Ministry, the country's Yonhap News Agency reported on Saturday that Seoul has conveyed its concerns to Beijing over a Chinese "no-sail zone" in the PMZ through unspecified diplomatic channels. It was not immediately clear which of the Chinese "no-sail zones" Seoul was referring to. While the South Korean official admitted that both nations are permitted to carry out military drills in the PMZ, he claimed that China's move "excessively" limited freedom of navigation. The South Korean military also told Yonhap News Agency that it was "closely" monitoring a series of moves by China in the PMZ, while adding that it could not make representations regarding military activities carried out by China or other countries in international waters. The report also noted that South Korea, which has often conducted war games with the U.S., previously declared a "no-sail zone" in the same waters for drills, setting a precedent. Chinese J-15 fighter jets are seen on the deck of the aircraft carrier CNS Liaoning during military drills in the Yellow Sea on December 23, 2016. Chinese J-15 fighter jets are seen on the deck of the aircraft carrier CNS Liaoning during military drills in the Yellow Sea on December 23, 2016. STR/AFP via Getty Images Meanwhile, the Chinese aircraft carrier CNS Liaoning has arrived in waters near Japan's southwestern islands after a southward voyage from its home port on China's Yellow Sea coast over the weekend. It remains unclear whether the ship transited the "no-sail zones." What People Are Saying A South Korean Foreign Ministry official said: "The [South Korean] government will continue to actively respond in close cooperation with related ministries to ensure that our legitimate rights and interests are not violated." Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, previously said in translated comments provided by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "I would like to point out that what China set up in the provisional measures zone (PMZ) are the aquaculture facilities. And relevant activities of China are consistent with China's domestic law and international law." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether South Korea will enhance its naval presence in the PMZ or conduct any exercises to assert its EEZ in response to China's "no-sail zones."
Miami Herald
22-04-2025
- Miami Herald
China Releases Video of Encounter With US Aircraft Carrier Fighter Jet
Footage recently released by Chinese state media appears to show a close encounter between Chinese and American carrier-based fighter jets over an undisclosed location in waters. "We don't have a comment on specific operations, engagements, or training, but we routinely operate in the vicinity of foreign aircraft and ships in international waters and airspace in the Indo-Pacific," the U.S. Pacific Fleet told Newsweek. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. The U.S. military often operates in the western Pacific Ocean, including in the contested East and South China Seas, where its aircraft have been intercepted by the Chinese military. The Pentagon has previously accused the Chinese air force of conducting unsafe intercepts. The U.S.'s aircraft carriers have been deployed to the waters west of the international date line on a rotating basis, maintaining the U.S.'s naval presence. They are protected by fighter jets embarked aboard, which are tasked with intercepting foreign aircraft approaching the ships. On April 11, the state-run China Central Television aired a documentary about the country's aircraft carrier fleet. The Chinese navy has two aircraft carriers in active service, while a third is expected to be operational in the first half of 2025, according to the Pentagon. The documentary, which goes into detail about the flight operations of the J-15 carrier-based fighter jets, briefly shows the undated close encounter in question. A J-15 fighter jet can be seen flying close to a second fighter aircraft positioned to its front left. Chinese military observers identified the second fighter jet as a U.S. Navy F/A-18 based on its shape. A spokesperson for the U.S. Pacific Fleet did not confirm nor deny whether it was the F/A-18 fighter aircraft, which is the backbone of the U.S.'s carrier-based aviation force. The jet, also known as the Super Hornet, comes with the single-seat E variant and the two-seat F variant. It is designed for a wide range of missions, including escort and interdiction. It was not immediately clear why American and Chinese carrier-based fighter aircraft had an encounter. A Chinese military observer said the J-15 jet was dispatched to "intercept and drive away" the F/A-18 jet during a Chinese aircraft carrier's "ocean-going training." CNS Shandong, the second Chinese aircraft carrier, held three "far-seas training events" in the Philippine Sea in 2023, the Pentagon's report on China's military power said. The Philippine Sea is also a major operating area for U.S. aircraft carriers during their western Pacific Ocean deployments. The Philippine Sea is located between the first and second island chains, which are part of a U.S. containment strategy seeking to restrict China's military access to the Pacific Ocean. In September, China's first operational aircraft carrier, CNS Liaoning, was spotted 559 miles northwest of Guam, the U.S.'s westernmost territory and a key military hub. A spokesperson for the U.S. Pacific Fleet said: "The U.S. Navy is committed to upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific, alongside our allies and partners, where all nations large and small have the freedom to sail and fly consistent with international law." The Pentagon's report on Chinese military power said: "Since late 2023, the [People's Liberation Army] has reduced the number of coercive and risky air intercepts of U.S. platforms compared to the previous two years, when the PLA engaged in notably increased aggressive activity, particularly in the East and South China Seas." The American and Chinese militaries are likely to have further encounters at sea and in the air while operating in the western Pacific Ocean. Related Articles If Nations Won't Fight Global Warming, Cities Can and Will | OpinionUS Bolsters Israel With Airlift Amid Regional ThreatsNorth Korea Says Trump Expanding Global WarsHouthis Send Defiant Warning to Trump: "Quagmire" 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
22-04-2025
- Newsweek
China Releases Video of Encounter With US Aircraft Carrier Fighter Jet
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Footage recently released by Chinese state media appears to show a close encounter between Chinese and American carrier-based fighter jets over an undisclosed location in waters. "We don't have a comment on specific operations, engagements, or training, but we routinely operate in the vicinity of foreign aircraft and ships in international waters and airspace in the Indo-Pacific," the U.S. Pacific Fleet told Newsweek. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters The U.S. military often operates in the western Pacific Ocean, including in the contested East and South China Seas, where its aircraft have been intercepted by the Chinese military. The Pentagon has previously accused the Chinese air force of conducting unsafe intercepts. The U.S.'s aircraft carriers have been deployed to the waters west of the international date line on a rotating basis, maintaining the U.S.'s naval presence. They are protected by fighter jets embarked aboard, which are tasked with intercepting foreign aircraft approaching the ships. What To Know On April 11, the state-run China Central Television aired a documentary about the country's aircraft carrier fleet. The Chinese navy has two aircraft carriers in active service, while a third is expected to be operational in the first half of 2025, according to the Pentagon. The documentary, which goes into detail about the flight operations of the J-15 carrier-based fighter jets, briefly shows the undated close encounter in question. A J-15 fighter jet can be seen flying close to a second fighter aircraft positioned to its front left. In this photo taken from footage released by the China Central Television on April 11, a suspected United States Navy F/A-18 fighter jet, left, flies close to a Chinese navy J-15 fighter jet over an... In this photo taken from footage released by the China Central Television on April 11, a suspected United States Navy F/A-18 fighter jet, left, flies close to a Chinese navy J-15 fighter jet over an undisclosed location in waters. More China Central Television Chinese military observers identified the second fighter jet as a U.S. Navy F/A-18 based on its shape. A spokesperson for the U.S. Pacific Fleet did not confirm nor deny whether it was the F/A-18 fighter aircraft, which is the backbone of the U.S.'s carrier-based aviation force. The jet, also known as the Super Hornet, comes with the single-seat E variant and the two-seat F variant. It is designed for a wide range of missions, including escort and interdiction. It was not immediately clear why American and Chinese carrier-based fighter aircraft had an encounter. A Chinese military observer said the J-15 jet was dispatched to "intercept and drive away" the F/A-18 jet during a Chinese aircraft carrier's "ocean-going training." CNS Shandong, the second Chinese aircraft carrier, held three "far-seas training events" in the Philippine Sea in 2023, the Pentagon's report on China's military power said. The Philippine Sea is also a major operating area for U.S. aircraft carriers during their western Pacific Ocean deployments. United States Navy sailors securing an F/A-18E fighter jet to the flight deck during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz while underway in the Pacific Ocean on February 5. United States Navy sailors securing an F/A-18E fighter jet to the flight deck during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz while underway in the Pacific Ocean on February 5. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Japeth Carter/U.S. Navy The Philippine Sea is located between the first and second island chains, which are part of a U.S. containment strategy seeking to restrict China's military access to the Pacific Ocean. In September, China's first operational aircraft carrier, CNS Liaoning, was spotted 559 miles northwest of Guam, the U.S.'s westernmost territory and a key military hub. What People Are Saying A spokesperson for the U.S. Pacific Fleet said: "The U.S. Navy is committed to upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific, alongside our allies and partners, where all nations large and small have the freedom to sail and fly consistent with international law." The Pentagon's report on Chinese military power said: "Since late 2023, the [People's Liberation Army] has reduced the number of coercive and risky air intercepts of U.S. platforms compared to the previous two years, when the PLA engaged in notably increased aggressive activity, particularly in the East and South China Seas." What Happens Next The American and Chinese militaries are likely to have further encounters at sea and in the air while operating in the western Pacific Ocean.
Asia Times
20-02-2025
- Science
- Asia Times
Satellite view of China's secretive next-generation carrier
China's fourth aircraft carrier, known as Type 004, is taking shape at the Dalian shipyard, a next-generation vessel built for power projection with potential nuclear propulsion and cutting-edge electromagnetic launch technology, The War Zone reported. Recently published satellite imagery from May 2024 shows a module consistent with a flight deck and advanced catapult system for launching aircraft, including the J-15 and Z-8 helicopter mockups seen nearby in the images. The module may be a test or demonstrator segment judging by procedural assembly norms and the presence of mockups previously used for other carriers. The shipyard, known for constructing China's earlier Type 001 Liaoning and Type 002 Shandong carriers, supports the ongoing naval expansion. The potentially nuclear-powered Type 004 represents a significant step in China's carrier capabilities. It features an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), similar to the US Navy's Ford class, which is gentler on airframes, has a faster recharge rate for more sorties, and can launch heavier and more varieties of aircraft. Those aircraft may include the J-15 with more fuel and munitions and the propeller-driven KJ-600 carrier-based airborne warning and control (AEW&C). If so, it could make China's carrier air wings resemble those of the US. However, Louis Bearn and Nick Childs mention in a November 2024 International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) article that China must still learn the complexities of catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) carrier operations. Bearn and Childs note that, at the time of their writing, the trials of China's first EMALS-equipped carrier, the conventionally powered Type 003 Fujian, appear to be at the stage of familiarizing the crew with the ship's operations and technologies. They note that the US Navy took six years for its first EMALS-equipped carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, to go to sea and become fully operational. Whether Type 004 will be conventional or nuclear-powered is unclear, with arguments for each power plant option. In November 2024, the Associated Press (AP) reported that China had developed a land-based prototype nuclear reactor for a large surface warship, referencing satellite photos of a large facility outside Leshan in Sichuan province. Further, Reuben Johnson mentions in a 1945 article this month that the prototype reactor may not be deployed on China's upcoming Type 004 and Type 005 carriers but on its Type 006 carrier. Johnson says the propulsion system aboard China's Type 006 would not be apparent until 2026 or early 2027. Interestingly, Johnson notes that China developed a new nuclear reactor for its aircraft carrier instead of repurposing existing reactors, such as those that power its Type 093 nuclear attack submarines (SSN) and Type 094 nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBN). He suggests that China might have learned from France's experience of modifying nuclear reactor designs for its Triomphant SSBNs, Barracuda SSNs and Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier, where the modified design failed to meet specific performance requirements. However, Asia Times has previously noted that China's Type 004 will likely be nuclear-powered. Given that China already operates nuclear-powered submarines, a nuclear-powered carrier would provide long-range power projection without the need for forward operating bases or replenishment ships, serve as a major prestige asset for China and generate the necessary power for China's EMALS technology. The Type 003 Fujian may provide some clues as to the specifications of China's possible Type 004 carrier, as China has followed an evolutionary approach to carrier design. This approach is apparent as China started its carrier fleet by finishing the Soviet-era Varyag hulk into the Type 001 Liaoning, built the improved Type 002 Shandong and took a significant design leap with the Type 003 Fujian. According to Naval Technology, the Type 003 Fujian may have an 80,000-ton displacement, making it comparable to the US Kitty Hawk-class carrier, the last class of conventionally powered US carriers. Naval Technology also says the Type 003 Fujian could carry around 50-60 aircraft, including J-15 and J-35 fighters alongside KJ-600 AEW&C. The report mentions that China's Type 004 will likely be a larger iteration of the Type 003 Fujian, which may be nuclear-powered and have a 100,000-ton displacement, rivaling the USS Nimitz and Ford-class supercarriers. In terms of capabilities, Maya Carlin mentions in The National Interest (TNI) this month that while the EMALS technology aboard China's Type 003 Fujian may be on par with its US counterparts, US carriers can carry up to 75 aircraft versus an estimated maximum of 60 for China's. Carlin also notes that the US has 11 nuclear-powered carriers, while China has only three conventionally powered ones. However, she notes that China is determined to meet or exceed the US Navy's capabilities in the future. While there are varying estimates on how many carriers China aims to build and how many of them would be nuclear-powered, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) mentioned in February 2019 that China aims to have six carriers by 2035, four of which will be nuclear-powered. China could use its conventionally powered carriers, such as the Type 001 Liaoning, Type 002 Shandong and Type 003 Fujian, to blockade Taiwan and control the First Island Chain, stretching from Japan to Taiwan and the Philippines. Conventional power limits the operational range of these carriers, forcing them to operate relatively close to China for resupply and refueling. However, nuclear-powered carriers would not face that limitation and would be able China to project power up to the Second Island Chain, spanning the Bonin and Volcano Islands, the Marianas Islands, the Caroline Islands and up to Western New Guinea in the Pacific. These carriers could also operate under a 'missile umbrella' consisting of DF-21 and DF-26 anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) based on the Chinese mainland, preventing a disastrous carrier-on-carrier clash with the US akin to the Battle of Midway during World War II, wherein Japan lost four fleet carriers and the strategic initiative in the Pacific Theater.
