Japanese Jets Take Unexpected Action Against Intruding Aircraft

Fighter jets flying over the ocean in formation.

Japanese F-15 and F-35 fighter jets fired warning flares at a Russian Il-38 reconnaissance plane for repeatedly violating Japan’s airspace.

At a Glance

  • Japanese warplanes used flares to warn a Russian reconnaissance aircraft to leave northern Japanese airspace.
  • The Russian Il-38 plane breached Japan’s airspace above Rebun Island for up to a minute in three instances during a five-hour flight.
  • The incident followed a joint fleet of Chinese and Russian warships sailing around Japan’s northern coasts.
  • Japan’s Defense Minister Minoru Kihara called the airspace violation “extremely regrettable” and lodged a strong protest with Russia.

Repeated Airspace Violations

Japanese F-15 and F-35 fighter jets resorted to firing warning flares at a Russian Il-38 reconnaissance plane this Monday following multiple airspace breaches. The incursions occurred near Rebun Island, where the Russian aircraft violated Japanese airspace three times within a five-hour span. Tokyo responded by scrambling its advanced fighter jets for the first time to fire warning flares, aiming to compel the Russian plane to retreat.

Despite the presence of these state-of-the-art jets, the Russian Il-38 ignored multiple warnings before Japan deployed flares. Japanese Defense Chief Minoru Kihara expressed profound disappointment over the incident. Tokyo lodged a formal protest with Moscow, insisting on preventive measures to avert future violations.

Rising Tensions with China and Russia

This confrontation comes amidst escalating joint military activities by China and Russia in the region. Recently, a combined fleet of Chinese and Russian warships navigated Japan’s northern coastal waters, sharpening tensions. Japan remains wary of China’s increasing assertiveness around its waters and airspace, which has resulted in multiple aerial intrusions.

Japan said its fighter jets used flares for the first time to warn a Russian reconnaissance aircraft to leave its airspace, the defense ministry in Tokyo said, as tensions rise over increasing Russian and Chinese military cooperation in the region.

“The airspace violation is extremely regrettable and today we lodged a very serious protest with the Russian government via diplomatic channels and strongly urged them to prevent a recurrence,” Kihara added.

The Japanese prime minister, Fumio Kishida, told government officials to respond “firmly and calmly” to the incident and work with the US and other nations, the chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said.

Earlier this year, aggressive maneuvers by Chinese spy planes led to Japan scrambling its jets to respond. The Chinese carrier Liaoning and two destroyers also sailed close to Japanese waters. These intrusive acts have made Japan vigilant, especially in reinforcing defenses in southwestern regions.

Enhanced Defensive Measures

Japan’s Defense Ministry has taken a proactive stance by increasing its defensive measures. This includes deploying fighter jets to intercept unauthorized aircraft and issuing warnings to foreign intruders. The ministry reported scrambling jets nearly 669 times between April 2023 and March 2024, primarily against Chinese military aircraft.

Kihara said the use of flares was a legitimate response to airspace violation and “we plan to use it without hesitation.”

In another instance, Japan and the Philippines recently reached an agreement allowing troop deployments on each other’s soil. This cooperation aims to fortify regional security amid the growing Chinese and Russian presence. Japan has also boosted defense spending and strengthened ties with the U.S. to ensure a robust security framework.

Sources:

  1. Japanese fighter jets fire flares at Russian aircraft for first time in airspace violation
  2. Japanese warplanes use flares to warn a Russian spy plane to leave airspace

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