On Wednesday, China Central Television (CCTV) aired footage of J-11B jet fighters over disputed islands in the South China Sea region. Most of the South China Sea is claimed by China, but at least five other countries have laid claims over the highly contested waterway.
The fighters in question landed on Woody Island, which China called Xisha Island, where a thermostabilized hangar protects aircraft from the high temperatures and humidity in the region.
Such specialized hangars, if deployed on other islands in the region, could give China greater capability to safeguard its claims over the islands using “military and legal enforcement channels,” according to TV commentator Song Zhongping.
In 2014, one such “enforcement channel” was used when a similar J-11 intercepted a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The intercept was dangerous, according to a description of the occurrence by the spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, Admiral John Kirby, at the time:
“(The Chinese aircraft) crossed under the aircraft with one pass having only 50–100 feet separation. The Chinese jet also passed the nose of the P-8 at 90 degrees with its belly toward the P-8 Poseidon, believed to be displaying its weapons load-out. Afterwards, the J-11 flew directly under and alongside the P-8, bringing their wingtips, as I said, to within 20 feet. And then conducted a roll over the P-8, passing within 45 feet.”
That shows the superior maneuverability of the Chinese-built J-11 series of fighter jets, originally an “authorized” version of the versatile Russian Sukhoi Su-27 “Flanker” multirole fighter.
The 2014 incident was a clear statement that the Chinese are not shying away from military posturing against U.S. Navy craft when it comes to the airspace over the South China Sea. Last week’s incident proves that China is constantly improving its ability to control the region on the water and in the sky.
https://youtu.be/oSaxbA7uAHM
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