Chinese warplane carried out dangerous maneuvers.
Australia has accused the pilot of a Chinese fighter jet of carrying out a dangerous maneuver near one of its planes over the South China Sea.
The Chinese plane reportedly caught fire and landed in front of the Australian surveillance aircraft.
The Chinese plane then launched the “hull” – an anti-radar device that includes small pieces of aluminum that entered the engine of the Australian aircraft.
Beijing declares most of the region as its territory.
The Royal Australian Air Force P-8 naval reconnaissance aircraft was tracked on May 26 by a Chinese J-16 fighter jet during what was a routine naval surveillance activity, said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“The wiretapping resulted in a dangerous maneuver which posed a security threat to the P-8 aircraft and its crew,” he said.
Defense Secretary Richard Marles said the Chinese plane flew very close to the RAAF and released a “hull package” containing small pieces of aluminum that were inserted into the engine of the Australian aircraft.
“Obviously this is very dangerous,” Marles said.