Australian aircraft intercepted by China earlier in May: MoD

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Jun 14:53

The Australian ministry of defense announced that earlier last month, one of their P-8 aircraft was intercepted by China in what has become contested airspace.

Australian P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft

Australian military surveillance plane got "dangerously intercepted" by a Chinese fighter aircraft according to an announcement by Australia's defense department on Sunday.

According to the defense statement, The Royal Australian Air Force P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft was conducting a "routine maritime surveillance activity" in international airspace in the region on May 26 and was intercepted by a Chinese J-16 fighter.

Furthermore, they added that the intercept posed a safety threat to the Australian aircraft and its crew. This concerned Australian officials who have used appropriate channels to express those concerns to the Chinese government said, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

On the other hand, the Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing and its embassy in Australia refused to comment.

Defence Minister Richard Marles claimed that the Chinese aircraft flew at close range in front of the Australian aircraft and released a "bundle of chaff" containing small pieces of aluminum that were ingested into the Australian aircraft's engine.

In the past, Australia, alongside the United States, accused China of wrongfully claiming sovereignty over the contested islands in the South China Sea. The two argued that China's claims did not comply with international law.

The relationship between the two trading partners, China and Australia, has been strained as the 4-Quad nations emerged emphasizing the shifting regional attitude towards China.

As a response to that, China sought to expand its influence in the Pacific in an attempt to maintain is national security and contain global efforts to destabilize and weaken the nation.

See more: What is the 4-nation Quad?

In May, a Chinese surveillance ship was traced within 50 nautical miles of a critical defense base used by Australian, US, and ally submarines off Australia's west coast.

The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia formed, in 2021, an alliance to boost nuclear capabilities and "strengthen stability in the Indo-Pacific region" as the West grows warier of China, although they did not mention that in their announcement.

The military alliance will be known as AUKUS, and it was announced during a trilateral virtual meeting between US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.