Chinese fighter jet is accused of ‘cutting off’ face, endangering Australian aircraft over the South China Sea

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said that a Chinese J-16 fighter jet appeared with an Australian P-8 reconnaissance plane when the aircraft was on a routine air patrol mission. international affairs in the South China Sea recently.

The J-16 then released flares and launched a jamming cloud of thin aluminum filaments at at least one of the Australian aircraft’s engines.

Military aircraft often launch clouds of jamming – usually small pieces of aluminum or zinc – as a deliberate countermeasure to distract missiles, or sabotage pursuing aircraft.

Mr. Marles said that the engine of the P-8 sucked up some aluminum fibers while the Chinese fighter flew through the Australian reconnaissance plane at a very close distance.

“The J-16 flew very close to the P-8. As it flew close to the P-8, the J-16 released flares. Then the J-16 accelerated and cut across the nose of the P-8, maintaining a position in front of the P-8 at a very close distance.At this moment, the J-16 released a cloud of debris, including small pieces of aluminum. Some of the aluminum shards got caught in the P aircraft’s engine. -8. It’s obviously a very dangerous situation,” said Mr. Marles.

The Australian Department of Defense described the behavior of the Chinese J-16 on May 26 as posing a safety threat to the P-8 aircraft and its crew.

Peter Layton, a former Australian Air Force officer who now works at the Griffith Asia Institute, said that when inhaled, aluminum shards can damage the propellers of jet engines and, in severe cases, may even cause the engine to stop working.

The Australian Defense Minister emphasized that Australia will maintain lawful activities in the East Sea.

“China’s behavior will not be able to prevent Australia from continuing its activities in accordance with international law and rights, ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, because this is the fundamental interest of the country.” , Mr. Marles emphasized.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government had expressed concern about what had happened.