A Close Call: Chinese Fighter Jet Comes Within 10 Feet of US Bomber in South China Sea
A heart-stopping incident unfolded in the dark skies over the South China Sea on October 24, as a Chinese fighter jet dangerously approached a US Air Force B-52 bomber, coming within a mere 10 feet. The US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) expressed grave concern, stating that both aircraft were “in danger of collision.”
According to INDOPACOM, the pilot of the Shenyang J-11 exhibited “unsafe and unprofessional” behavior, demonstrating “poor airmanship” by closing in at excessive speed. The US military, in a statement, expressed their worry that the pilot may not have been aware of just how close they came to causing a catastrophic accident.
“We are concerned this pilot was unaware of how close he came to causing a collision,” the US military said in a statement.
Footage released by INDOPACOM reveals the heart-stopping moment when the Chinese J-11 fighter jet flew perilously close to the B-52 bomber, which was lawfully conducting routine operations in the South China Sea.
The Chinese aircraft intercepted the US Air Force bomber under the cover of darkness, defying international air safety rules and norms, as stated by INDOPACOM.
Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, revealed that since the fall of 2021, there have been over 180 instances of Chinese aircraft engaging in “coercive and risky operational behavior.”
In these incidents, Chinese aircraft have performed reckless maneuvers, discharged chaff, shot off flares, and approached US aircraft too rapidly or too closely, all in an attempt to hinder US forces from operating in areas permitted by international law, Mr. Ratner explained.
“When you take into account cases of coercive and risky PLA [People’s Liberation Army] intercepts against other states, the number increases to nearly 300 cases against US, allied, and partner aircraft over the last two years,” he informed reporters on October 26.
In one alarming incident on May 26, a Chinese J-16 fighter jet flew directly in front of a US RC-135 aircraft, forcing the US plane to navigate through the turbulence created by the Chinese jet. This was revealed in the Pentagon’s October 17 report.
Another incident occurred on July 12, when a Chinese fighter jet conducted a “coercive and risky intercept” against a US aircraft in the East China Sea, deploying eight flares just 900 feet away from the US plane.
“The bottom line is that, in many cases, this type of operational behavior can cause accidents, and dangerous accidents can lead to inadvertent conflict,” Mr. Ratner cautioned.
Mr. Ratner also highlighted that these incidents have taken place while the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has repeatedly declined invitations from the US to establish military-to-military communication at the highest levels.
This image from a video shows an intercept of a US military plane by a Chinese fighter jet over the Pacific Ocean on May 24, 2022. (Department of Defense via AP)
Admiral John Aquilino, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, expressed his disappointment at not having had any communication with his Chinese counterparts for the past two and a half years, despite repeated requests.
“I have yet to have one of those requests accepted, and I look forward to speaking to my counterpart. I think developing that relationship would be critical to maintaining peace and stability in the region,” he stated.
Tensions Between China and Philippines
The recent incident involving the Chinese aircraft intercept coincided with President Joe Biden’s reaffirmation of the US defense commitment to the Philippines, following collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.
“I want to be very clear: The United States’ defense commitment to the Philippines is ironclad,” he declared during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on October 25.
“Any attack on Filipino aircraft, vessels, or armed forces will invoke our mutual defense treaty with the Philippines,” he added, referring to the treaty signed between the United States and the Philippines in 1951.
A still from video footage released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows a Chinese vessel after grazing the hull of a Philippine boat near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on Oct. 22, 2023. (Armed forces of the Philippines/Screenshot via NTD)
The collisions occurred on October 22 when a Chinese Coast Guard ship blocked a Philippine boat attempting to deliver supplies to troops stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal.
During the same operation, a Chinese maritime militia ship “bumped” a Philippine Coast Guard vessel that was escorting the boat, as reported by the Philippines’ National Task Force.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning dismissed US involvement in the South China Sea issue, stating that the US “has no right to interfere” in the matter between China and the Philippines.
“The US defense commitment to the Philippines should not undermine China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, nor should it support the illegal claims of the Philippines,” she asserted.
Beijing asserts its claim over almost the entire South China Sea, including reefs and islands that overlap with the Exclusive Economic Zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
The Philippines’ position has been recognized by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in a 2016 ruling. However, China’s behavior has not changed, with Chinese vessels repeatedly intruding into Philippine maritime zones.
Katabella Roberts contributed to this report.
What was the US military’s reaction to the incident involving the Chinese pilot in the South China Sea?
Les. This incident adds to the growing tensions between the two nations in the highly contested South China Sea region.
The US military has reprimanded the actions of the Chinese pilot, describing them as “unsafe and unprofessional.” The pilot displayed “poor airmanship” by approaching the US bomber at excessive speed and dangerously close distance. There were concerns that the pilot may not have fully grasped the gravity of the situation and the potential for a catastrophic collision.
The US Indo-Pacific Command has expressed serious concerns about the incident, stating that both aircraft were “in danger of collision.” In their statement, the US military emphasized their worry about the pilot’s lack of awareness regarding the close proximity to the US bomber.
This incident comes amid renewed tensions between the US and China in the South China Sea. The US has frequently conducted freedom of navigation operations in the region to challenge China’s expansive territorial claims. China, on the other hand, considers these operations as provocative and a violation of its sovereignty.
The South China Sea is a strategically crucial area, with rich natural resources and vital shipping lanes. Multiple nations, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines, have overlapping territorial claims in the area. The contested nature of these claims has led to frequent disputes, tension, and military confrontations.
The close encounter between the Chinese fighter jet and the US bomber serves as a reminder of the risks involved in such high-stakes territorial disputes. It underscores the importance of maintaining open lines of communication, adhering to agreed-upon international aviation standards, and ensuring the safety of all aircraft.
The incident has garnered international attention and raises concerns about the potential escalation of hostilities in the South China Sea. It highlights the need for both nations to engage
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