Amid ongoing tensions between China and Japan, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that a Chinese military fighter jet targeted a Japanese Self-Defense Forces fighter jet with its radar over international waters.
On December 7, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held an emergency press conference early in the morning and delivered this statement, expressing "deep regret." Minister Koizumi also stated that Japan had lodged a protest with the Chinese side and demanded measures to prevent a recurrence.
According to the Ministry of Defense, at around 4:32 p.m. the previous day, a Chinese J-15 carrier-based fighter jet intermittently targeted a Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter jet with its radar for about three minutes over international waters southeast of Okinawa Island.
The J-15 had taken off from the aircraft carrier Liaoning and was in flight, while the F-15 had been scrambled to monitor and intercept any approach to Japanese airspace. However, there was no violation of Japanese airspace.
The Liaoning passed between Okinawa Island and Miyakojima, conducting training exercises in the Pacific that involved launching and recovering carrier-based fighter jets and helicopters. Then, starting at around 6:37 p.m. for about 31 minutes, another J-15 that had taken off from the Liaoning intermittently targeted a different F-15 fighter jet of the Air Self-Defense Force with its radar.
The Ministry of Defense stated that there was no damage caused by the radar, but emphasized that this was a dangerous act that exceeded the range necessary for the safe flight of aircraft.
Radar targeting by fighter jets is used either for fire-control to designate attack targets or for area surveillance. An official from the Ministry of Defense commented, "If it was for surveillance purposes, there would be no need to do it intermittently," suggesting the possibility that it was for fire-control purposes.
The Chinese military, on the other hand, claimed that Japan had interfered with its training. Wang Xuemeng, spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, stated on social media that "Recently, the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation of the Chinese Navy conducted regular carrier-based fighter jet flight training in waters east of the Miyako Strait, and the training sea and airspace had been announced in advance." He continued, "During that period, Japanese Self-Defense Force aircraft repeatedly approached the Chinese Navy's training sea and airspace, causing disturbances that seriously affected normal Chinese training and posed a serious threat to flight safety."
Spokesperson Wang added, "Japan's related announcement is completely inconsistent with the facts. We sternly demand that Japan immediately cease slander and strictly control the actions of its frontline units." He further stated, "The Chinese Navy will take necessary measures in accordance with the law to resolutely safeguard its own safety and legitimate rights and interests."
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