Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Japan Had A Record 571 Fighter Jet Scrambles Against China In 2015

An F-15 fighter jet in Japan’s Self-Defense Force during a flight exercise. Credit Ko Sasaki for The New York Times

Japan Times: Japan scrambled fighters against China a record 571 times in fiscal 2015

Japan scrambled Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets against Chinese aircraft approaching its airspace a record-high 571 times in fiscal 2015, the Defense Ministry said.

The number is up from 464 times registered the previous year and the highest since the ministry’s Joint Staff Office began releasing data by country and region in fiscal 2001.

The office on Friday said Chinese military planes were often spotted flying over the East China Sea and between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island.

The number of scrambles by Japanese fighter jets against Chinese aircraft has been on the rise in recent years and the Defense Ministry is analyzing operations of the Chinese military.

Read more ....

Update: Japan fighter jet ‘scrambles’ double in response to China -- Washington Times

WNU Editor: And this trend is increasing this year .... Japan jet scrambles against China planes double in January-March (Reuters).

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