New intercepts in Taiwan ADIZ
Following Scramble News report of 26 November 2020, the Taiwanese Ministry National Defense (MND) reported on 5 December 2020 that again multiple Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force and Navy (PLAAF and PLAN) aircraft entered Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) .
The Republic of Taiwan Air Force (RocAF, Taiwan Air Force) responded on the harassament with a SCRAMBLE of their fighter aircraft (F-CK-1 Ching Kuo, F-5E Tiger II or F-16A Fighting Falcon). The Taiwanese MND also closely monitored the Chinese movements with the radars of their Surface to Air Missile (SAM) systems. In case of, missiles could be launched. On top of that, Air Traffic Control issued radio warnings until the PLA planes left the area, the MND said.
The Chinese planes included one Shaanxi Y-8Q (GX6) anti-submarine plane (serial 82016, assigned to 1st Division) and one Y-8 tactical reconnaissance aircraft (no serial visible). It was the fourth such incursion during the first week of December. On 1 and 2 December a Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft entered Taiwan's southwest ADIZ. On 4 December 2020, three Chinese PLA warplanes - one Y-8 anti-submarine, one Y-8 tactical reconnaissance aircraft and one Y-8 electronic warfare aircraft -- entered the same airspace, the Taiwanese MoD said.
An ADIZ is established by a country to allow identification, location and control of approaching foreign aircraft. However, unlike territorial airspace, no legal foundation for the ADIZ is explicitly stipulated in international law. Due to the increasing number of incursions by Chinese military planes in recent months, on 17 September 2020, the ministry began publishing their movements on its website to keep the public better informed.
At the same time, in a rare report shared with media, the PLA showed an Eastern Theater Command Naval Aviation Force Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft when it dropped a new type of air-droppable, self-guided depth charge. The Y-8 training demonstrated the PLA capability that it can detect as well as launch an attack on submarines. The Chinese media report came only a week after Taiwan announced the start of construction of a new submarine fleet, and could be seen as a deterrent to Taiwan secessionists' attempts to use force to resist reunification as Global Times reports.
Photo by Taiwanese MND and Chinese MoD