Chinese Aircraft Carriers “Bully” in Region: Chinese Aircraft Perform Dangerous Maneuvers Alongside Japanese Planes

Chinese J-15 deck-based fighters have been performing dangerous maneuvers near Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C patrol aircraft for several days in a row.

This was reported by Naval News.

The incidents are taking place against the backdrop of unprecedented activity by two Chinese aircraft carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, which were spotted for the first time conducting simultaneous operations in the western Pacific Ocean.

In particular, on June 7, one of the J-15 fighters, based on the Shandong aircraft carrier, accompanied a Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft for 40 minutes, from 10:30 to 11:00 local time.

During the incident, the Chinese aircraft approached the Japanese aircraft at a distance of only 45 meters, creating a potentially dangerous situation.

“Since such unusual approaches by Chinese military aircraft could potentially lead to accidental collisions, we expressed serious concern and strongly requested that this incident not be repeated,” the Japan Ministry of Defense said in a press release.

Chinese aircraft carrier drills

It was recently reported that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy had deployed two aircraft carrier groups simultaneously in the same region of the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

These are the aircraft carrier Liaoning (a modernized former Soviet Varyag of Project 1143 Krechet) and the first Chinese aircraft carrier of national construction, Shandong.

The Liaoning group includes a Type 055 cruiser, a Type 052D destroyer, and a support vessel.

The Shandong aircraft carrier is accompanied by a Type 055 cruiser, a Type 052D destroyer, two Type 054 frigates, and a Type 903A replenishment ship.

The simultaneous presence of two aircraft carriers in this area creates conditions for China to conduct full-scale exercises based on an “aircraft carrier versus aircraft carrier” scenario, during which each strike group can act as a conditional enemy of the other.

Such exercises are particularly relevant in preparation for a theoretical conflict with the United States.