chinese language fighter jet intercepts US recon plane with 'unsafe maneuver,' US defense branch says - CNN

CNN  — 

A chinese fighter jet intercepted a US reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea last week and carried out an "dangerous maneuver," forcing the us plane to take evasive motion, in keeping with Indo-Pacific Command, the command liable for overseeing US military operations in the vicinity.

On December 21, a chinese Navy J-11 fighter jet flew within 20 toes of the nostril of an RC-a hundred thirty five Rivet Joint, a US Air force reconnaissance aircraft with about 30 americans on board. In response, the RC-a hundred thirty five needed to take "evasive maneuvers to evade a collision," INDOPACOM said in a press release Thursday.

The RC-135 turned into in overseas airspace over the South China Sea and became "lawfully conducting movements operations," INDOPACOM pointed out.

Video of the incident from INDOPACOM shows the J-eleven flying off the nose of the RC-a hundred thirty five. as the two aircraft draw closer, a defense respectable stated it is "unlikely" the chinese language jet could have maintained a secure visible separation from the greater, heavier American aircraft, which turned into protecting its course and speed. The RC-one hundred thirty five then takes evasive action to avoid a collision, descending far from the chinese jet.

nearly all of aircraft interactions, together with those between the USA and China, are conducted in a safe and knowledgeable manner, the reliable noted. but in situations corresponding to this incident when they are determined to be hazardous, the us responds via diplomatic and armed forces channels via strains of conversation with Beijing.

"We intend to do so in this case," the reliable pointed out.

China claims a great deal of the South China Sea as a part of its territorial waters, including lots of the islands in the disputed physique of water, some of which Beijing has militarized.

the united states doesn't admire these territorial claims and robotically conducts operations there, together with freedom of navigation operations during the South China Sea.

"The U.S. Indo-Pacific Joint force is dedicated to a free and open Indo-Pacific area and may continue to fly, sail and operate at sea and in international airspace with due regard for the defense of all vessels and aircraft below international law," the statement stated.