Tensions spiked in the South China Sea and near Taiwan over this past weekend and have continued boiling since, after Chinese PLA aircraft made repeat in incursions into Taiwan's claimed airspace. In response Taiwan's Air Force scrambled jets in its own 'show of strength' deterrence message, and with the US aircraft carrier USS Roosevelt in the region, China's Defense Ministry subsequently warned Taipei on Thursday that "independence means war".
A new report in FT that broke overnight now reveals that the Sunday incident was even more alarming for the prospect of direct conflict than previously thought.
FT cites unnamed intelligence sources to report that "Chinese military aircraft simulated missile attacks on a nearby US aircraft carrier during an incursion into Taiwan’s air defense zone three days after Joe Biden’s inauguration, according to intelligence from the US and its allies."
We earlier noted that on Sunday Taiwan reported a huge PLA aerial incursion for the second straight day, on Sunday counting well over a dozen fighter jets that included six J-10 fighters, four J-16s, two SU-30s, a Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft and two Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft. They were apparently escorting Chinese H-6 long range bombers. "Airborne alert sorties had been tasked, radio warnings issued and air defense missile systems deployed to monitor the activity," Taiwan's defense ministry had said.
The FT report adds more previously unknown context to the incident:
People familiar with intelligence collected by the US and its allies said the bombers and some of the fighter aircraft involved were conducting an exercise that used a group of US Navy vessels led by the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the same area as a simulated target.
Pilots of H-6 bombers could be heard in cockpit conversations confirming orders for the simulated targeting and release of anti-ship missiles against the carrier, the people said.
As the US carrier group observed the inbound Chinese bombers from below, there's little doubt that "fingers were on the trigger" in preparation to respond if all hell broke loose.
"The Su-30 [fighters] can carry Kh-31 anti-ship missiles, and the H-6 bombers and J-16 fighters can both carry YJ anti-ship missiles," said the analyst.
"All three aircraft are clearly a display of threat against surface ships," he added.
1 comment:
Too much information to process, and digest, is somewhat perplexing into our Society, in my opinion. Technology helps us with keeping informed, in spite propaganda in the mix, yet keeping us concerned too. Do we need to know all which we cannot do anything about except, pray for cooler heads to prevail with known opponents, for them to opt for peace instead of threatening this, or that, to unleash upon others?
Not sure about answers to "Rumors of Wars" constantly permeating our brains while we live life from grocery shopping to daily routines, to settling into our evenings while digesting daily news! My Father, long passed, had worked Pentagon during years in AF, and growing up, we heard nothing about what Military was doing, what Enemies were doing, what Crashed objects from skies were, how Cold War going, nothing; They kept their mouths shut, did their assessments, Intel work, planning, worked behind the scenes protecting our Homeland from enemies NEAR, and far!! How we knew was, America was kept safe! Now, we are curious to how safe we actually are, more & more, we wonder? Since 70's Gas Shortage Fiasco, we wonder, IMO? Should we? Duh!
Now, we hear all about the newest Weaponry our Foes have, how they might use them, who they are threatening now, and one wonders, "Do we have a need to know"? Would it not be wise for those in charge of keeping USA safe to use Intel to their advantage in dealing wisely with threats real or imagined? How are Citizen's suppose to implement strategy, tactical or otherwise? Perhaps frustration comes from hearing the allowed build-up of those that have ill intent goes on being unchecked till it's a known crisis, saber-rattling, or scenario's of the worst kind! This is not about the awesome informative Articles on this site, nor putting together that which comes from our present times being philosophized about. Rather it's about being concerned Military Intel is too lax, in my opinion, or in need of more covert strategies to deal with impending threats, non-exposed War planning simulations kept hushed, and a needed confidence someone does have our backs for protecting our Nation, our Allies, and us protecting Allies as well? Did this just go out the window 2021 or is Disinformation "King"? Oh, should not USA Military secrets be ahead twenty plus years? If so, why sweat the small stuff, right? Oh, only if in the right hands, of course!
Technology subliminally draws upon our fears, our hopes, our getting an overload of info while "Joy" for life is required in the equation too! Only a segment of populace truly embrace, enjoy, and are wired to want to analyze situations to hope for the best outcomes to flank, corral, stop, win, over our threats from enemies near or far, in my opinion. If not being paid to do so, doesn't matter, some folks enjoy being analytical, YET, majority populace would rather those expert folks being paid big bucks do their jobs well, starting with keeping information close to their vest to use wisely, IMO! Balance therefore, in my opinion, is needed. Know what I'd recommend, but hey, obviously, analyzing is elicited when reading or hearing, about crazy feedback concerning those with dangerous toys that might be used to harm innocent Countries, their Populace, and rain evil upon God's beautiful blessings given others! Just saying, while over-thinking info! Wishing much Peace, Harmony, Joy, Faith, Hope, Happiness to those on Earth! (: Now, with quietness, one suspects this is why many thought President Trump had, has, or hoping for, a plan to capture evil criminals in high places from escaping being held accountable, especially while those in their bid to win, are using same tactic's in reverse or it's their hypocrisy while Gas Lighting Citizen's? Is Silence Golden? Depends!? Same as Inaction versus Action, it depends, right?
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