An Australian P-8 surveillance plane had a close encounter with a Chinese J-16 fighter jet, which fired flares that came within 30 metres of the aircraft. Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles labeled the maneuver as unsafe and unprofessional, expressing concerns to Beijing. This incident marks the first confrontation between the Australian and Chinese military forces in nine months, following a previous encounter involving a Chinese J-10 fighter. Australia continues to strengthen its defense strategy in response to perceived threats from China, including its participation in the Aukus security agreement.
The J-16 was so close that there's no way you could have been able to ensure that the flares did not hit the P-8.
Had any of those flares hit the P-8, that would have definitely had the potential for significant damage to that aircraft.
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