CNN, citing Canadian defense officials, reported that the Canadian navy and Chinese fighter jets had a dangerous confrontation in international waters in the South China Sea last weekend.
Accordingly, Chinese fighter jets dropped flares in the direction of a Canadian Navy military helicopter, acting as an act of deterrence. Canadian defense officials believe this action could have caused the helicopter to malfunction.
"The risk to the helicopter in that situation was that flare fragments would fall into the rotor blades or engine, so the action was unsafe, substandard, and unprofessional," said Major Rob Millen, an air officer aboard the Royal Canadian Navy destroyer HMCS Ottawa.
The Canadian Navy destroyer HMCS Ottawa (FFH 341). (Photo: Canadian Navy)
Major Millen told CNN that this was the second collision between a Canadian naval helicopter and a Chinese navy J-11 fighter jet. In the incident last weekend, the Chinese aircraft came within just 30 meters of the Canadian helicopter.
Mr. Millen added that Canada and other countries have repeatedly witnessed Chinese aircraft engaging in close-range flight maneuvers, but have rarely seen Chinese pilots use flares to deter such activity.
Officers aboard the Ottawa said the incident occurred while the Canadian helicopter was searching for a submarine in the area.
"As the Chinese interceptor aircraft got closer and closer, at some point it became unsafe," Major Millen said. He also suggested that the Canadian helicopter encountered air turbulence from the Chinese jets, which also posed a danger to the helicopter.
When asked about the interception at a regular press briefing on November 3, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said he had not received any report on the situation from the Canadian side.
A Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone anti-submarine helicopter involved in a collision with a Chinese aircraft on October 29. (Photo: AP)
"We have repeatedly reiterated our position on Canadian fighter jets conducting reconnaissance near Chinese territory. We hope Canada will refrain from inappropriate behavior to avoid further complicating the situation," said Wang Wenbin.
The Chinese Ministry of Defense has not yet commented on this information.
Previously, on October 26, the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) released a video showing a Chinese J-11 fighter jet approaching a B-52 strategic bomber in international airspace over the South China Sea on the night of October 24.
The video, posted by INDOPACOM, also shows Chinese fighter jets approaching the B-52 very closely, but the actual risk of collision remains unclear. However, the interception was conducted at night, with limited visibility, further increasing the danger.
Tra Khanh (Source: CNN)
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