On June 29, the CCTV program “Sharp Sword” aired footage showing two PLA J-16 fighter jets dispatched to warn and expel a foreign aircraft that had breached China’s territorial waters line. The video captures the twin fighters taking off, executing parallel intercept maneuvers, and launching infrared flares (also known as infrared countermeasure flares) to repel the intruding aircraft.
Zhang Zhanfang, from a PLA Air Force aviation brigade, explained that the foreign aircraft approached at a low altitude and did not adhere to flight protocols — flying almost perpendicularly at a 90-degree angle as it crossed into China’s territorial waters. “We moved into a position directly abeam or slightly ahead of it, so the aircraft could clearly see us,” said Zhang. “We gradually banked toward it, reducing the distance between us, to force it away from our territorial line.”
According to Zhang, after the initial interception, the foreign aircraft changed direction but eventually made a circular maneuver and returned toward the territorial line. After receiving a warning from the control tower, Zhang fired infrared flares and performed another close intercept. Following procedures carried out in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations, the foreign aircraft was expelled.
Military expert Cao Weidong explained that China’s coastline is extremely long, and the J-16, as a heavy fighter jet, has ample fuel reserves. It can be equipped with missiles for both sea/land attack missions and for air-to-air combat. Aircraft such as the U.S. Navy’s P-8A anti-submarine patrol plane may be intercepted by Chinese fighters like the J-16, J-15, or J-10.
If radio warnings are ignored and a foreign aircraft continues to fly along or near the coastline, the PLA Air Force can deploy fighter jets to fly parallel and close to the intruding aircraft to issue visual warnings and expel it. If the foreign aircraft enters Chinese territorial airspace or waters and still fails to comply after warnings, live fire may be used.
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