Chinese Flyby – Major Provocation: China Overwhelms Taiwan’s Air Space with Fighter Jets

By Kris Osborn – President & Editor-In-Chief, Warrior Maven

A group of 20 Chinese J-16 and J-10 fighter jets have intruded into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone in just the last few days, a Taiwanese news service reports.

Citing Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, Taiwan News said 10 Shenyang J-16 and six Chengdu J-10 fighter jets “infringed on Taiwan’s ADIZ,” within the last few days and were then followed by another four J-16s committing the same violation. 

Certainly provocations related to a military option for Taiwanese reunification are not new, yet the scope, size and persistence of these most recent incursions may constitute an escalation of concern. Could an invasion or hostile military annexation of Taiwan be imminent? 

It certainly would be quite difficult to stop, at least initially, given Taiwan’s proximity to China and the People’s Liberation Army overwhelming military superiority in terms of sheer size.

There are far too many recent Chinese fly-overs, amphibious assault drills, carrier operations and surveillance patrols related to a possible Taiwan takeover to cite, but the Pentagon’s new China report refers to a “greater urgency” when it comes to preparing for a Taiwan contingency.

“The PRC conducting persistent military operations near Taiwan—and training for a Taiwan contingency—likely signals a greater urgency for the PLA to continue to develop and perfect its strategy and capabilities should PRC leaders look to a military option to achieve their objectives,” DoD’s 2021 “Report on Military and Security Developments involving the People’s Republic of China” states.

The Taiwanese news report said Taiwan’s Air Force sent Combat Air Patrols up in the air to broadcast radio warnings each time, and was reportedly tracking them with land-based anti-aircraft missiles.