High tension: Chinese Fighter Jets Lock Radar on Japanese Planes
TOKYO - Chinese J-15 fighter jets locked radar onto Japanese aircraft in two separate incidents on Saturday, marking the most serious clash between the two countries’ militaries in recent years and escalating regional tensions. The encounters occurred near islands close to territory claimed by both Japan and China, according to the japanese Defense Ministry.
The incidents come amid heightened anxieties over China’s growing military assertiveness, especially concerning Taiwan, which Beijing views as a renegade province. Japan’s recent warning that it could respond to Chinese military action against Taiwan if it threatened Japanese security has further strained relations. This latest escalation is likely to exacerbate those tensions and raise concerns about potential miscalculation in the region.
The Japanese Defense Ministry stated the J-15 jets were launched from China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier, which was maneuvering south of the Okinawa Islands alongside three missile destroyers. In both instances, the Chinese jets used their radar to “lock on” to the Japanese planes, a move considered aggressive as it prepares the aircraft for potential engagement.
This is not the first time tensions have flared between the two nations’ militaries.In 2013, Japan reported a Chinese warship locked its radar on a Japanese destroyer in the East China Sea. Similarly,in 2016,Beijing accused Japanese jets of aiming fire control radar at Chinese warplanes. More recently, in June, Chinese fighter jets reportedly flew very close to Japanese patrol planes near Okinawa.
As of last Thursday, China had deployed over 100 naval and coast guard ships in East Asian waters, prompting concern from Taiwan, which described the increased military presence as a threat to the Indo-Pacific region. Japan has stated it is closely monitoring China’s activities.
The U.S. State Department has yet to comment on the latest incidents. Japan hosts the largest concentration of U.S.military forces overseas, including warships, aircraft, and thousands of U.S. Marines based in Okinawa.
