The pilot of a People's Republic of China Shenyang J-11 fighter jet intercepted a U.S. Air Force B-52 on Tuesday, flying within 10 feet of the bomber. [Screenshot: U.S. Indo-Pacific Command]
Key Takeaways:
A Chinese J-11 fighter jet conducted an unsafe intercept of a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber in international airspace over the South China Sea, flying within 10 feet and endangering both aircraft.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) condemned the incident as unprofessional and a display of poor airmanship, expressing concern about the potential for collision.
This event aligns with a documented pattern of "unsafe and unprofessional" behaviors by China's military against U.S. and allied aircraft, with over 180 such instances recorded against U.S. aircraft between 2021 and 2023.
The pilot of a People’s Republic of China Shenyang J-11 fighter jet conducted an unsafe intercept of a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress on Tuesday, flying within 10 feet of the bomber, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).
During the nighttime intercept, the B-52 was conducting routine and lawful operations over the South China Sea in international airspace.
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