Skyfire Alert: J-15s Clash 💥 Japan 🇯🇵

World News

Chinese Jets Threaten Japanese Aircraft with Radar Lock
The Japanese Defense Ministry has reported two concerning incidents involving Chinese fighter aircraft, specifically J-15 military jets, engaging in radar lock maneuvers over international waters. These events occurred as tensions between China and Japan remain high, primarily due to the ongoing situation surrounding Taiwan.

Radar Lock: A Highly Threatening Maneuver
A radar lock, where a military aircraft targets another with its radar, is widely considered a highly threatening maneuver. As a result, the targeted Japanese F-15 aircraft were compelled to take evasive action during the incidents. One lock extended for approximately three minutes, while another lasted a full 30 minutes.

Ministry’s Formal Protest Highlights the Situation
Following these alarming events, Japan formally lodged a strong protest with China on Sunday, emphatically demanding the implementation of strict preventive measures to avoid such occurrences in the future.

Airspace Drills and a Potential Airspace Violation
On Saturday, Japanese military aircraft conducted takeoff and landing drills around the main island of Okinawa and the nearby Miyako island, a direct response to the detection of a fire-control radar lock by Japanese fighter jets. The ministry clarified that Japanese airspace was not breached, suggesting a potential, but ultimately unsuccessful, attempt at an airspace violation.

Public Disclosure Signals Escalating Concerns
This marked the first time the Japanese defense ministry in Tokyo has publicly disclosed such an incident – a Chinese military jet locking fire-control radar onto Japanese aircraft. This transparent response reflects the seriousness with which Japan is viewing the evolving situation.

Historical Precedent: 2013 Incident in the East China Sea
The current situation bears a resemblance to a similar incident reported in 2013, where a Chinese warship locked radar onto a Japanese destroyer in the East China Sea. This historical context underscores the recurring nature of these interactions.

Taiwan Tensions Fueling Military Activity
The escalating tensions between China and Japan are further complicated by ongoing concerns regarding Taiwan, as suggested by Sanae Takaichi in November, who proposed that Japan’s military could intervene if China were to take action against the island.