Japan’s Ministry of Defense reported that J-15 carrier-based fighters belonging to the air wing of the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning intermittently illuminated Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15J fighter jets with their radars. The Japanese aircraft had been deployed for surveillance and interception missions in response to the activities of the Chinese Navy’s carrier group operating near Japanese waters.
In two separate incidents, which took place in airspace over international waters southeast of Okinawa’s main island, two Shenyang J-15 fighters of the Chinese Naval Aviation intermittently illuminated Japanese F-15J interceptors with their fire-control radars. The Japanese fighters had been scrambled in response to the presence of the aircraft carrier and its escorts near Japanese waters.
In its statement released a few hours ago, Japan’s Ministry of Defense said that “…these radar irradiations constitute dangerous actions, exceeding what is necessary for the safe operation of aircraft, and it states that it is extremely regrettable that such incidents occurred. It also reports that a strong protest was lodged with the Chinese side, strictly requesting the prevention of future incidents…”. The Ministry also confirmed that during these incidents “…there was no damage to the aircraft nor to the members of the Self-Defense Forces…”.
Surveillance and intelligence missions over the Liaoning carrier strike group
Japan’s Ministry of Defense also announced that, one day earlier, the Japan Self-Defense Forces had deployed various air and naval assets to conduct surveillance on the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and its strike group. This included the Akizuki-class destroyer JS Teruzuki (DD-116), assigned to the 6th Escort Squadron; Kawasaki P-1 and Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft from Atsugi and Naha, respectively; and Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighters.
According to Japanese reports, the Chinese carrier strike group is composed of the Liaoning, a Type 055-class destroyer (Nanchang 101), and two Type 052D-class destroyers (Xining 117 and Kaifeng 124). During the surveillance operations conducted yesterday, it was confirmed that “…the four vessels were sailing in an area located approximately 270 km west of Okinotori Island (Okinawa), and that carrier-based fighters and naval helicopters were conducting takeoff-and-landing operations from the ‘Liaoning’…”.
Air activity by the Liaoning’s J-15 fighters prompted the deployment of Japan’s F-15J interceptors, which were scrambled both yesterday and today. However, the Chinese Navy appears to have escalated the situation through the aforementioned radar illuminations against the Japanese fighter jets—an action considered unprofessional in peacetime, and a provocation given the strict rules governing interactions between combat aircraft in international airspace.
As the Chinese Navy continues expanding its fleet, the reach and frequency of its operations keep increasing across Beijing’s areas of interest in the Indo-Pacific. In this geostrategic environment, carrier strike groups are key assets for power projection, a capability China continues to expand decisively.
Illustrative cover image. Credits: Japan Ministry of Defense.
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