The challenging crossing of two military planes for which Australia blames China

It was a close and risky encounter between two military planes.

Australia accuses the pilot of a Chinese fighter jet of carrying out a dangerous maneuver near one of its aircraft in international waters of the South China Sea

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Canberra assures that the Chinese aircraft, a J-16 fighter jetlaunched flares and dangerously blocked the path of a surveillance aircraft P-8 of the Royal Australian Air Force.

Then, according to the Australian version, the Chinese plane launched a “chaff”an anti-radar device that includes small pieces of aluminum that entered the engine of the P-8.

The site where this happened is in a disputed region that Beijing claims as part of its territory.

The incident occurred on May 26 during what Australia says was a routine maritime surveillance activity.

The aircraft involved on China’s side was a J-16 fighter jet (file photo).

“The interception resulted in a dangerous maneuver that posed a threat to the safety of the P-8 aircraft and its crew,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

Beijing has not offered comment on the accusation.

But Defense Minister Richard Marles reiterated that the Chinese plane flew too close and launched the chaff.

“Obviously this is very dangerous,” Marles told Australian broadcaster ABC. And he added that “The incident will not prevent Australia from continuing to engage in such activities.”

“They are within our rights under international law, and to make sure there is freedom of navigation in the South China Sea because that is fundamentally in the interests of our nation,” he added.

In a statement, the Australian Ministry of Defense added that “for decades it has carried out maritime surveillance activities in the region” and “does so in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in waters and international airspaces.

South China Sea conflict.

China has been building military infrastructure there in recent years.

But the US, neighboring countries and others in the vicinity, including Australia, question the legitimacy of the new Chinese military bases.

And disputes have become more frequent.

In February, Australia accused a Chinese navy ship of pointing a military-grade laser at one of its fighter jets over the Arafura Sea in northern Australia.

Source: Elcomercio