Sohu Reported F-35A Interception During Russian-Chinese Air Patrol
Sohu reported that a US F-35A tried to approach a Russian-Chinese air group during a joint patrol but ended up between a J-16 and a Su-35.
Chinese outlet Sohu reported an episode involving a US F-35A fighter jet during a joint Russian-Chinese air patrol in the western Pacific. According to the authors of the publication, the US aircraft attempted to approach the Russian-Chinese air group but ended up between escort fighters from the two countries.
According to Sohu, the joint patrol involved Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers and Chinese H-6K bombers. Their route passed over the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea and the western Pacific. The flight was covered by escort fighters of the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Chinese Air Force.
According to the Chinese outlet, US F-35A fighter jets, recently deployed in Japan, as well as aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, suddenly appeared in the patrol area. One of the American fighters attempted to covertly reduce the distance to the Russian bomber.
After that, a Chinese J-16 and a Russian Su-35 appeared on different sides of the F-35A. The authors of the publication believe that the American pilot found himself in an extremely uncomfortable position: on one side he was accompanied by a Chinese fighter carrying weapons, and on the other by a Russian Su-35.
At the same time, Sohu does not report any violation of airspace, use of weapons or emergence of a dangerous situation.
The Chinese outlet views this episode as a sign of changing conditions in the Asia-Pacific region. According to the authors of the publication, US aviation could previously freely escort and monitor such flights, but now Russia and China are demonstrating their readiness to cover their joint air operations and have themselves intercepted the American interceptor.