Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles revealed on May 6 that a Chinese J-10 fighter had dropped heat traps in the Yellow Sea, endangering Canberra helicopters flying in international waters. This incident occurred while an Australian navy Seahawk helicopter was monitoring UN sanctions against North Korea from the destroyer HMAS Hobart. The Chinese fighter dropped a heat trap in front of the helicopter, forcing the pilot to take evasive action. Although there were no casualties or damage, the consequences could have been significant if the helicopter had been hit.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese demanded an explanation from China regarding the incident and called it “unsafe and unprofessional.” This encounter marks the most serious incident between Australian and Chinese forces since a previous altercation in 2023 in the Sea of Japan. The J-10 fighter, developed by China since 1988, has been in service with the Chinese Air Force since 2005. Upgraded versions like the J-10B and J-10C have enhanced capabilities and improved performance. The latest J-10C variant, launched in 2018, boasts impressive speed, range, and weapon carrying capacity.
This recent incident has added strain to already delicate bilateral relations between Australia and China. Efforts to improve relations have been significantly affected by this encounter as tensions rise between the two nations. The latest development further underscores the need for both countries to exercise caution when engaging with each other’s military forces to avoid any further incidents that could lead to escalation of tensions or even conflict between them.
