Map of incident and flight path. Malaysian Armed Forces Image
Defense News: China sends 16 military aircraft over disputed South China Sea shoals near Malaysia
MELBOURNE, Australia — China has sent more than a dozen military transport aircraft to the vicinity of disputed shoals in the South China Sea administered by Malaysia, prompting the latter to scramble a fighter jet to investigate.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force, or RMAF, said in a news release that 16 Xi’an Y-20 and Ilyushin Il-76 airlifters of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, or PLAAF, approached to within 60 nautical miles (69 miles) of Malaysia’s coast.
The news release also said the Chinese force approached in a “tactical formation” and was first detected by an air defense radar in the eastern Malaysian state of Sarawak at 11:53 a.m. local time on Monday.
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WNU Editor: The Chinese government has responded to Malaysia's protests .... Chinese embassy: Aircraft were on 'routine flight training', adhered to international laws (New Straits Times).
More News On China's Air Force Violating Malaysia's Airspace
Malaysia says 16 Chinese jets threatened its sovereignty -- AP
Chinese Air Force Fly 16 Aircraft Through Malaysian Airspace in Large-Scale Exercise -- USNI News
Malaysia scrambles jets to intercept ‘incursion’ by 16 Chinese military planes -- SCMP
Malaysia to summon Chinese envoy over ‘suspicious’ air force activity -- Brisbane Times/Reuters
