http://www.businessinsider.com/japan-scrambles-fighter-jets-to-head-off-chinese-planes-2013-1
Robert Johnson | Jan. 5, 2013, 3:45 AM
Japanese F-15
China's first ever invasion of
Japan's airspace happened just weeks ago, but the move appears to becoming a
routine addition to the burgeoning standoff.
The
AFP now reports:
Japan scrambled fighter jets on
Saturday to head off a Chinese state-owned plane that flew near islands at the
centre of a dispute between Tokyo and Beijing, a Japanese Defense Ministry
spokesman said.
The Japanese jets were mobilized
after a Chinese maritime aircraft ventured some 120 kilometres (74 miles) north
of the Senkaku islands, which China calls the Diaoyus, at around 12:00 pm (0300
GMT), the spokesman said. The Chinese Y-12 twin-turboprop later left the
zone without entering Japanese airspace over the islands, he added. It was
the first time Japanese fighter jets had been scrambled this year to counter
Chinese aircraft approaching the islands, the spokesman said.
This
second round of confrontation in the skies comes after Japan dispatched wight
fighter jets last month after provocations in the same region of the South
China Sea.
As five other countries claim ownership of the
Spratly Islands in the area, and its supposed billions in oil and gas deposits,
China's increasing its presence and also backing its claims by sending the
newest warship it has to the region.
The
Taiwan-owned China Times reports the Liuzhou Type 054A warship entered the
South China Sea Fleet of China's PLA Navy just days ago, making it the sixth 054 warship in the area.
Though
the Type 054A is not a new design, this most recently commissioned vessel will
have the latest technological advantages.
From China Times:
Liuzhou is currently considered one
of China's most advanced surface combat Type 054A vessels. It has a stealthy
hull design with sloped surfaces and radar absorbent materials. Equipped with a
medium-range air defense missile system, the vessel is capable of destroying
air targets at a distance up to 50 km. Although it is not as lethal as the
Russian-built Sovremenny class and domestic destroyers,
the new frigate still serves well as a multi-role warship in the
Chinese fleet.
Among all 16 frigates in the same
class and currently in the service of the PLA Navy, Liuzhou is the newest
addition. Since Liuzhou is commanded by the South Sea Fleet, which is based in
Zhanjiang of Guangdong province, analysts believe that its primary mission is
to protect Chinese interests in the disputed South China Sea. The mainland and
five other countries — Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei —
have competing claims to the region's islands and atolls.
The
Liuzhou's deployment comes days after the U.S. vowed to increase its military presence in the
Philippines and China's ensuing outrage over the decision.
The
warship carries an array of sophisticated weapons including
anti-submarine ordnance and stealth features allowing it to evade radar and
move undetected.
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