A Chinese fighter jet and a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft had an “unsafe and unprofessional” interaction as the two operated over the waters of the South China Sea, Canberra officials said Monday.
A People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Su-35 fighter released flares twice near an Australian P-8A aircraft on Sunday near the Paracel Islands. It is the second time this year that such an incident has occurred.
“This was an unsafe and unprofessional [maneuver] that posed a risk to the aircraft and its personnel,” reads an Australian Defense Department news release.
No injuries were sustained by Australian Defense Force personnel nor was damage caused to the P-8A, according to the release. According to Australia, its defense force has undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region for decades in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace. Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner, the release reads.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles provided more details on the incident in a press conference and in a televised interview with local media outlet Sky News on Monday.
According to Marles, the Su-35 initially came alongside the P-8A and released flares from a distance, which were considered routine interactions. However, the Su-35 then twice released flares very close to the P-8A. Marles declined in both media sessions to disclose the distance between the two aircraft when the flares were released, only stating that it was unsafe and unprofessional.
Australia has not disclosed the exact location of the incident, but the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command Air Force issued a statement Monday that it took place in the airspace of the Paracel Islands.
According to Chinese officials, the Australian P-8A illegally intruded into the airspace. The theater command mobilized naval and air forces to track, monitor, forcefully counterattack and issue warnings to expel the aircraft in accordance with laws and regulations, the PLA said.
“Australia’s actions seriously infringe upon China’s sovereignty and are highly likely to lead to maritime and air incidents. We urge Australia to immediately cease its infringing and provocative actions,” reads the PLA statement.
The Paracel Islands are an archipelago controlled by China after it expelled South Vietnamese forces from their holdings in 1974. The archipelago is not recognized internationally as part of China’s territory. The U.S. Navy has carried out Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) in the area, such as in May 2024 by destroyer USS Hasley (DDG-97).
Sunday’s incident is the second time this year that a PLA fighter has discharged flares against an Australian P-8A conducting operations around the Paracel Islands. On Feb. 11, a similar incident occurred and in 2022, a PLA J-16 fighter released a bundle of chaff, which contains small pieces of aluminum, some of which were ingested into the engine of the P-8 aircraft.
No damage or injuries occurred in both incidents, and Australia lodged protests on the action of the Chinese fighter aircraft.
Royal Australian P-8As routinely deploy and operate in Southeast Asia for surveillance missions or to participate in bilateral and multilateral exercises in the region. The Royal Australian Air Force currently operates 13 P-8As with a 14th and final aircraft to be delivered in 2026.
