China published a report on the "displacement" of the PLA Air Force Su-30 fighters of foreign reconnaissance aircraft
China recently published a report on the actions of its fighter aviation to "displace" foreign military aircraft from the airspace over the South China Sea. Beijing believes that the United States has stepped up its risky and provocative actions, and therefore the Chinese aviation also has to act more decisively.
In May 2020, foreign aircraft were spotted conducting reconnaissance at close range from Chinese borders, according to the report. The Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Southern Theater of War's (PLA) Air Force Fighter Brigade has been ordered to expel foreign warplanes.
The commander of the group of Su-30 aircraft Lu Geng transmitted a message in Chinese and English:
This is the PLA Air Force. You are about to enter China airspace. Change course immediately!
But despite a warning from Chinese pilots, foreign aircraft continued to approach the Chinese border, after which pilot Lu Geng faked an attack. This action forced the foreign aircraft to retreat. Thus, according to the report, the Chinese fighter aircraft fulfilled the task of protecting China's air sovereignty and displacing foreign aircraft.
If they started a fight, I would fight. Pilots are always ready and there was no point in hesitation
- Lu Geng commented on those events later.
The report does not indicate the nationality of foreign combat aircraft, but most likely it is about American aircraft, which are characterized by tactics of conducting reconnaissance at close range. Since November 2020, American aviation has been particularly active near the Chinese borders.
This situation developed after the United States sent at least 2020 reconnaissance aircraft to the South China Sea in May 35. This is stated in the monitoring data "South China Sea Strategic Research Initiative" (SCSPI), conducted by the Chinese side and published in Beijing.
In 2021, the United States doubled its presence in the region, sending 72 reconnaissance aircraft to the border with China. We are talking about electronic reconnaissance aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft that collect information about the PLA and its actions in the South China Sea.
According to Xu Guangyu, senior adviser to the China Association for Arms Control and Disarmament, Beijing needs to take countermeasures against hostile foreign aircraft, including expelling aircraft from airspace near Chinese borders.
The details of the incident with foreign aircraft became known only a few months after it took place. Obviously, the publication of the report in the public domain allowed the Chinese authorities to demonstrate their determination to protect the country's air borders and its interests in the South China Sea. If necessary, the Chinese pilots are ready to use force to destroy foreign aircraft and suppress their intelligence activities, which is openly discussed in Beijing.
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