Chinese state media reveals J-16, J-15 fighter jets resolutely react to foreign provocations

Chinese state media revealed two cases of Chinese fighter jets responding to foreign provocations, including two J-16 jets driving away a foreign aircraft breaching China's territorial sea line and J-15s engaging in high-altitude dogfights to expulse foreign aircrafts in May 2022 when the Liaoning aircraft carrier was provoked by two foreign aircraft carriers.

The China Central Television (CCTV) disclosed the full footage on Sunday showing how Chinese military dispatched two J-16 fighter jets to warn and expel a foreign aircraft for breaching China's territorial sea boundary. The report did not reveal the exact date and location of the incident.

"The foreign aircraft flew over at a low altitude, not very disciplined, almost at a vertical 90 degrees, breaching our territorial sea line," air force aviation brigade member Zhang Zhanfang recalled. 

Zhang said that he flew to the side and slightly ahead of the foreign aircraft, and gradually narrowed the gap, forcing it away from the territorial sea line. 

"After I completed this maneuver, it changed direction, but continued to circle and came toward our territorial sea line again," said Zhang. The tower also issued a warning "You are approaching Chinese airspace, please leave immediately, or bear the consequences!" Following China's lawful and regulated handling of the situation, the foreign aircraft was driven away, CCTV reported.

China has a very long coastline, and the J-16 is a heavy fighter with ample fuel, capable of carrying missiles for sea and land attacks, as well as missiles for striking aerial targets. Facing aircraft like the P-8A anti-submarine patrol plane, we can dispatch J-16, J-15 or J-10 jets to warn and expel the aircraft, military affair expert Cao Weidong was quoted by CCTV as saying.

Cao said that usually, a radio signal is first used to issue a warning on an international public frequency, but some countries act provocatively, flying along or near the territorial sea line. "Our aircraft can fly parallel to the foreign aircraft, and if it moves closer inward, we can approach, warn and drive it away. And if it enters our territorial sea and airspace, that's a different matter," said Cao, meaning that in cases where warnings are ineffective, firing shots is permissible.

CCTV also revealed on Saturday how the J-15s took off with missiles in response to severe provocations in May 2022 when China's Liaoning aircraft carrier was provoked by two foreign aircraft carriers.

In May 2022, while the Liaoning aircraft carrier task group was performing far-sea missions, two foreign aircraft carrier groups from the east and south frequently dispatched aircrafts for tracking and surveillance. 

Facing severe provocations from foreign military, the J-15s took off with missiles and closely pursued the foreign aircraft from an altitude of 8000 meters down to 2000 meters, ultimately driving the foreign aircraft away successfully.