Australia condemns ‘unsafe’ Chinese jet intercept over South China Sea
A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) patrol aircraft encountered what officials have described as an “unsafe and unprofessional” interception by a Chinese fighter jet over the South China Sea.
According to the Australian Department of Defence, the incident occurred on February 11, 2025, when an RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was conducting a routine surveillance mission. A People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) J-16 fighter intercepted the aircraft and released flares in dangerously close proximity.
Defense officials condemned the maneuver as reckless, stating that it posed a serious risk to both the aircraft and its crew. Despite the close encounter, the RAAF aircraft sustained no damage, and no injuries were reported.
In response, the Australian government reaffirmed its expectation that all nations, including China, operate their military forces safely and professionally.
“For decades, the ADF has undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region and does so in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace,” the statement emphasized.
Chinese naval task group spotted near Australia
In a separate development reported on the same day, the Australian Department of Defence confirmed the presence of a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) task group operating northeast of Australia. The group comprises three vessels: the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class cruiser Zunyi, and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu. These ships traveled through Southeast Asia before entering Australia’s maritime approaches, with the Hengyang transiting waters to Australia’s north.
It remains unclear whether the interception and the naval movements were related. However, Australian defense officials reiterated that Australia routinely monitors all maritime traffic in its Exclusive Economic Zone and surrounding waters.
“Australia respects the rights of all states to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law, just as we expect others to respect Australia’s rights,” the statement noted.
Tensions in the Indo-Pacific
The South China Sea remains a highly contested region, with Beijing asserting sweeping territorial claims widely disputed by neighboring countries and challenged under international maritime law.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of aerial and maritime confrontations between China and Western military forces in the Indo-Pacific.
On May 4, 2024, the guided-missile destroyer HMAS Hobart was conducting routine operations in international waters within the Yellow Sea as part of Operation Argos – Australia’s contribution to enforcing UN sanctions against North Korea – when a PLAAF J-10 fighter intercepted a Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter.
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A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) patrol aircraft encountered what officials have described as an “unsafe and unprofessional”…
The post Australia condemns ‘unsafe’ Chinese jet intercept over South China Sea appeared first on AeroTime.
