China-Taiwan air incursions infographic
Graphic shows air incursions sine January 23.
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MILITARY

China’s mounts biggest Taiwan drill

By Duncan Mil

June 16, 2021 - China’s air force sent 28 fighters and bombers into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the most significant sortie China has flown toward Taiwan since U.S. President Joe Biden’s inauguration.

Taiwan broadcast at least 15 warnings to the Chinese military aircraft on Tuesday morning (June 15) to leave Taiwan’s ADIZ, warning them, “If anything happens, you are responsible.”

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft began intruding into Taiwan’s ADIZ starting at 05:48 (11:48GMT) on Tuesday, at altitudes ranging from 5,000 to 7,800 metres until 10:02 (14:02).

Tuesday’s incursions mark the fourth time this month that Chinese military aircraft have intruded into Taiwan’s ADIZ. In total, 31 PLAAF warplanes have been tracked in the ADIZ so far this month.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, the 28 PLAAF aircraft included one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane, four Xian H-6 nuclear-capable bombers, one Shaanxi Y-8 electronic warfare aircraft, two Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft, 14 Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, and six Shenyang J-11 fighter jets.

Tuesday marks the largest single-day incursion on record, surpassing the 25 reported on April 12.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 16/06/2021; STORY: Graphic News
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