[ The Straits Times ]Taiwan scrambles jets after 19 Chinese planes enter air defence zone

Taiwan scrambles jets after 19 Chinese planes enter air defence zone

TAIPEI (REUTERS) – Taiwan’s air force scrambled on Sunday (Sept 5), with its defence ministry reporting that 19 Chinese aircraft, including nuclear-capable bombers, had flown into the nation’s air defence identification zone. Taipei has complained for a year or more of repeated missions by China’s air force, often in the south-western part of the air defence zone near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands.

Taiwan’s air force scrambled on Sunday (Sept 5), with its defence ministry reporting that 19 Chinese aircraft, including nuclear-capable bombers, had flown into the nation’s air defence identification zone.

The latest Chinese mission involved 10 J-16 and four Su-30 fighters as well as four H-6 bombers, which can carry nuclear weapons, and an anti-submarine plane, Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said.

Taiwanese combat aircraft were dispatched to warn away the Chinese aircraft, while missile systems were deployed to monitor them, the ministry said.

The Chinese aircraft flew in an area closer to the Chinese than Taiwanese coast, roughly north-east of the Pratas, according to a map provided by Taiwan’s defence ministry.

There was no immediate comment from China.

DPA Notes: Given the weak leadership in United States / Biden’s administration, we already seen quite a number of such display not just across the Taiwan Straits, but also down in the South China Sea theatre.

It is a display of strength and a flex of it’s military superiority by China to the countries in the East and South-East Asia.