Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles revealed on May 6 that Chinese J-10 fighters had dropped heat traps in the Yellow Sea, putting Canberra helicopters at risk while they were monitoring UN sanctions against North Korea. The incident took place while the Australian navy’s Seahawk helicopter was flying from the destroyer HMAS Hobart. The Chinese fighter dropped a heat trap in front of the helicopter, forcing it to take evasive action. Despite there being no casualties or damage, the consequences could have been catastrophic if the helicopter had been hit.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for an explanation from China regarding the incident and condemned the actions of the Chinese fighter as “unsafe and unprofessional.” This encounter marks the most significant 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.
The recent incident has put additional strain on already delicate bilateral relations between Australia and China, which have been gradually improving in recent years. Efforts to improve relations were significantly affected by this encounter as tensions rise between the two nations.
