The U.S. Department of Defense is telling the media that aircraft are experiencing an uptick in “coercive and risky” interactions with Chinese planes.
DOD officials outlined the trend at a press conference Tuesday and provided newly declassified photos and videos of relevant incidents.
“Since the fall of 2021, we have seen more than 180 such incidents,” said Assistant Defense Secretary for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner. “More in the past two years than in the decade before that. That’s nearly 200 cases where PLA operators have performed reckless maneuvers or discharged chaff or shot off flares or approach to rapidly or too close to U.S. aircraft.”
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Images and video newly released by the Department capture a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) fighter jet in the course of conducting a coercive and risky intercept against a lawfully operating U.S. asset in the South China Sea, including by approaching a distance of just 40 feet before repeatedly flying above and below the U.S. aircraft and flashing its weapons. After the U.S. operator radioed the PLA fighter jet, the PLA pilot responded using explicit language, including an expletive. (Department of Defense)
Ratner continued, “All as part of trying to interfere with the ability of U.S. forces to operate safely in places where we and every country in the world have every right to be under international law.”
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has utilized swift, disruptive violations of airspace norms to harass and irritate aircraft from the U.S. and its allies.
“And when you take into account cases of coercive and risky PLA intercepts against other states, the number increases to nearly 300 cases against U.S. ally and partner aircraft over the last two years,” Ratner added.
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The DOD released a briefing document that outlines key incidents among the over 180 reported interactions.
The document included previously classified images and videos capturing moments of tension between U.S. pilots nearby Chinese aircraft.
“Intercepts happen every day around the world. The vast majority are conducted safely and without incident, and there’s no reasons for the intercepts with the PRC in the Indo-Pacific region to be any different,” said Indo-Pacom Commander Admiral John Aquilino.
Images newly released by the DOD capture a PLA fighter jet in the course of conducting a coercive and risky intercept against a lawfully operating U.S. asset in the East China Sea. Over the course of five hours, four PLA aircraft conducted this intercept, including by approaching a distance of just 40 feet and taking pictures of the U.S. plane. (Department of Defense)
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The commander continued, “I’m here today because it’s the operational commander’s number one responsibility to ensure the safety of our servicemembers, and it’s a responsibility I take very seriously. So highlighting these behaviors and ensuring that we can prevent them is a top priority.”
The DOD did not offer a clear definition of “coercive” and “risky” behavior, compared to the usual language of “unsafe” or “unprofessional.”
