China Detected 90+ US Recon Flights Next to its Borders in November
Chinese data reveals the number of US reconnaissance flights over the South China Sea during the past month, indicating that 10 US planes were detected next to the Chinese border on November 4 only.
-
P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine warfare plane
In last November, US planes conducted 94 reconnaissance flights over the South China Sea next to the Chinese border.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), which cited data from Beijing-based think tank SCSPI, the number of flights in November was 30% more than the previous record set in February, when the center recorded 75 flights from US reconnaissance planes.
Last month, the US conducted the highest number of surveillance flights near China in a single day, according to the report. On November 4, it dispatched 10 spy planes over the South China Sea, while the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group cruised through the area.
The P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft was involved in over 80% of the November activity, according to the SCSPI. The MQ-4C unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and the E-8C air-to-ground surveillance aircraft were also utilized during the missions.
-
MQ-4C Triton spy drone (source: US Navy)
It was highlighted by the center that the number of US reconnaissance missions last month could have been greater because some aircraft's identification signals may have been switched off.
US Navy Sec: China Is Undoubtedly The Most Significant Threat
Last month US Navy Secretary Carlos del Toro announced, that China poses the "number one threat that we have to pay attention to."
He also stressed "the need for Washington to be vigilant to this threat," adding during the activities of the Aspen Security Forum in Washington that "China's intent to one day take over Taiwan either peacefully or through military means has a most serious impact on our economic security of this country."
