The official newspaper of the Chinese Armed Forces, PLA Daily, revealed that fighter jets from the Eastern Theater Command locked the radar of a foreign stealth aircraft at only 800 meters away.
The incident, whose date and location were not disclosed, is said to have occurred during an interception deemed by China as a response to “aerial provocations.”
Experts linked to the People’s Liberation Army assess that the Chinese aircraft involved was a J-16, a multifunctional model widely used by the country’s air force.
The foreign aircraft was not identified, but the report describes a tactical approach with coordinated maneuvers between the lead fighter and its wingman, culminating in radar lock— a procedure indicating immediate engagement capability.
This is the second case reported by state media in just over four months. In October, CCTV reported that another J-16 had forced two foreign stealth fighters to leave the area during a 2024 exercise. At that time, analysts suggested the aircraft could have been F-22 Raptors, one of the main stealth fighters in operation worldwide.
The Eastern Theater Command, responsible for sensitive areas such as the East China Sea and the vicinity of Taiwan, has been intensifying patrols and exercises amid regional tensions. Beijing considers the island part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force for reunification, while the United States maintains military support for Taipei and a frequent presence in the region.
Source: South China Morning Post | Photo: X @DavidWangPLA | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
