Japan’s Ministry of Defense has accused Chinese military aircraft of locking radar on two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15 fighters over international waters southeast of Okinawa on December 6, escalating tensions in the East China Sea region.
According to the Ministry of Defense, Chinese J-15 fighters launched from the aircraft carrier Liaoning directed radar at two separate Japanese aircraft in two separate incidents. The first radar illumination occurred between 4:32 p.m. and 4:35 p.m., and the second from 6:37 p.m. to approximately 7:08 p.m. The two affected aircraft were different F-15s responding to an airspace violation alert mission.
No physical damage or injury was reported, but Japan’s top defense official condemned the incident as unsafe. In remarks to reporters early on December 7, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said, “This was a dangerous act that exceeds the scope necessary to ensure the safe flight of aircraft, and the fact that such an incident occurred is extremely regrettable.” He confirmed that Japan had issued a strong protest to China and called for measures to prevent a recurrence.
Koizumi also briefed Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles at the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo later that day. Marles reportedly told Koizumi the event was “a matter of serious concern” and emphasized Australia’s intent to act in close coordination with Japan.
Radar illumination, particularly involving fire-control radar systems, is considered a serious provocation in international military encounters. Locking radar—also referred to as radar lock-on—is a method used to track and target an aircraft in preparation for a missile launch. Once radar lock is established, it allows the system to determine the exact distance and trajectory of the target. In operational terms, it is one of the final steps in preparing to fire an air-to-air missile.
Being “locked” by radar alerts the targeted aircraft to the fact that it is now within firing parameters for missile engagement, and such an action is viewed as an aggressive escalation.
The incident mirrors a prior confrontation in January 2013, when a Chinese naval vessel illuminated a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer with fire-control radar in the East China Sea.
The Chinese aircraft involved in the December 6 incident reportedly departed from the Liaoning, which has been conducting operations in the Pacific. The JASDF fighters involved were scrambled in response to a potential airspace violation and were operating in a defensive capacity at the time of the radar lock-ons.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense said it would continue to monitor the situation and emphasized that it would respond calmly and resolutely to any actions that threaten regional peace.
Defense Minister Koizumi reiterated that the radar targeting “was a dangerous act that exceeded what is required for the safe flight of aircraft.” He stated that Japan had formally protested to China and again demanded that steps be taken to prevent future incidents.
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