A Chinese (PLA) Navy J-11 fighter carried out an unsafe intercept of a US RC-135 aircraft over the South China Sea, the US Pacific Command said.
On December 21, the J-11 is said to have performed an unsafe maneuver during an intercept of a US Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft.
The PLAN pilot flew in front of and within 20 feet of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the RC-135 to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision, the Pacific Command said.
According to the Pacific Command, the RC-135 was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace.
“The US Indo-Pacific Joint Force is dedicated to a free and open Indo-Pacific region and will continue to fly, sail and operate at sea and in international airspace with due regard for the safety of all vessels and aircraft under international law. We expect all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to use international airspace safely and in accordance with international law,” PACOM said in the statement.
