Beijing: A Chinese J-16 fighter jet reportedly locked on to two foreign stealth aircraft, forcing them to retreat from China’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), according to a report aired by China’s state broadcaster CCTV. The incident, which occurred last year but was revealed publicly for the first time this month, has drawn international attention amid heightened tensions between China and the United States over aerial surveillance and military activities in the Asia-Pacific region.
CCTV’s report, broadcast on October 3, featured an interview with Li Chao, a pilot from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theater Command, who described the encounter as occurring during a routine training mission. Without naming any country, Li said the “intentions of the foreign aircraft were clearly provocative,” suggesting they were attempting to test China’s air defense capabilities.
According to military analysts cited by Chinese media, the foreign aircraft were likely U.S.-made fifth-generation F-22 Raptor jets, among the most advanced stealth fighters in the world. Retired PLA Air Force Colonel Yue Gang said that the Chinese J-16’s ability to lock on to the stealth aircraft demonstrated the effectiveness of China’s integrated combat system, which links satellites, early-warning aircraft, and anti-stealth radar to create a real-time situational awareness network.
“The fact that the J-16 was able to lock on to these stealth jets indicates a major technological advancement,” Yue stated. “It suggests that China’s radar and command systems are capable of detecting and targeting aircraft previously considered nearly invisible.”
Li Chao recounted the high-risk maneuvering that took place during the encounter. “During a sequence of aerial maneuvers, I flipped my aircraft upside down and flew directly above the foreign jet,” he said. “At one point, the distance between the two aircraft was just 10 to 15 meters.” He added that once the J-16 successfully achieved target lock, the foreign jets turned away and exited the ADIZ.
According to CCTV, after this confrontation, the same foreign aircraft were “never seen again in that area.” The report was presented as evidence of China’s growing air defense capability and its readiness to protect national sovereignty against foreign incursions.
The J-16, a twin-engine multirole fighter developed by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, is based on the Russian Su-30 design but has been significantly upgraded with indigenous radar, avionics, and electronic warfare systems. It is considered one of the PLA Air Force’s most versatile and combat-ready aircraft, capable of carrying a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.
