Australian Plane Nearly Hit by Flares in "Unsafe" Encounter with Chinese Fighter Jet
Australia has lodged a formal protest after a Chinese fighter jet released flares near an Australian P-8 Poseidon surveillance plane over the South China Sea. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, is being described as "unsafe and unprofessional" by Australian officials.
According to Defense Minister Richard Marles, the Chinese J-16 fighter released flares that passed within 30 meters (100 feet) of the Australian aircraft. The P-8 Poseidon, which typically carries eight or nine crew members, was not damaged and no one was injured.
"The J-16 was so close that there's no way you could have been able to ensure that the flares did not hit the P-8," Marles told Sky News. "Had any of those flares hit the P-8, that would have definitely had the potential for significant damage to that aircraft."
Australia has protested the incident in both Canberra and Beijing. The protest accuses the Chinese pilots of engaging in a "unsafe and unprofessional maneuver that posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel."
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between China and Australia, despite recent improvements in diplomatic and trade relations. It is the first significant clash between the two militaries that Australia has disclosed in nine months.
Last year, Australia accused the pilot of a Chinese J-10 fighter of unsafe and unprofessional behavior after the Chinese aircraft dropped flares in the path of an Australian navy Seahawk helicopter over the Yellow Sea. The Australian helicopter pilot was forced to take evasive action to avoid the flares.
While there were no injuries or damage in that incident, experts warned that the helicopter could have been forced to ditch at sea if a flare had struck an engine. China protested at the time, claiming that the Australian helicopter had flown close to Chinese airspace and attempted to conduct reconnaissance on a Chinese navy training exercise.
11 Comments
Matzomaster
This is incredibly reckless and irresponsible of the Chinese military. Putting other flight crews at such risk is unacceptable.
Leonardo
This incident proves that the Chinese military is capable of defending itself against any threat.
Rotfront
Australia needs to learn to respect the sovereignty of other countries. They're not the only ones with interests in the South China Sea.
Michelangelo
Australia is constantly pushing the boundaries in the South China Sea. It's only a matter of time before something serious happens.
Africa
The Australian government needs to focus on its own problems instead of meddling in the affairs of other countries.
Donatello
This incident just proves that China is not to be trusted. They're a threat to regional stability and peace.
Michelangelo
This incident should not be used to escalate tensions between the two countries. Let's focus on finding solutions instead.
Raphael
This incident shows that the Chinese military is becoming increasingly dangerous. We need to be prepared to defend ourselves.
Leonardo
This incident was clearly staged by Australia in an attempt to provoke China. Don't believe their propaganda.
Donatello
China has every right to defend its territorial integrity. The Australian plane was flying too close to Chinese airspace.
Leonardo
China is a peaceful nation and would never intentionally endanger another aircraft. This was just a misunderstanding.