Japan Protests as Chinese Warplanes Lock Their Radar on Its F-15 Jets

Chinese military fighter jets twice locked their radar on Air Self-Defense Force aircraft over international waters southeast of Okinawa Prefecture over the weekend, the Defense Ministry in Tokyo said — an account Beijing disputed as ties between the neighbors continue to fray, Japan Times reported.

The F-15s had been scrambled in response to a potential airspace intrusion during Chinese carrier-group exercises involving the Liaoning and three missile destroyers.(Photo: Z3144228 Wiki)

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters Sunday that the “dangerous acts” were “extremely regrettable,” adding that Japan had “lodged a strong protest” with China and demanded strict measures to prevent a recurrence.

“We will continue to closely monitor the activities of the Chinese military in the waters and airspace surrounding Japan,” she said during a visit to the earthquake-hit Noto area of Ishikawa Prefecture.

Chinese J-15 fighter jets launched from the Liaoning aircraft carrier “intermittently directed their radar” at ASDF F-15 fighters, the Defense Ministry said.

The F-15s had been scrambled in response to a potential airspace intrusion during Chinese carrier-group exercises involving the Liaoning and three missile destroyers.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi saidthat no personnel were hurt and no aircraft were damaged during the incidents, which involved radar lock-ons between 4:32 p.m. and 4:35 p.m., and again between 6:37 p.m. and 7:08 p.m.

China blamed Japan for the encounter, saying it had “maliciously monitored and harassed” the carrier group and had “repeatedly sent aircraft to intrude into the training zone China had publicly delineated.”