Overview
- A RAAF P-8A Poseidon on 19 October experienced a close pass of flares from a PLA-AF Su-35 over the South China Sea, which Australia labeled unsafe and unprofessional.
- Defence Minister Richard Marles said flares were released on two occasions very close to the P-8A, with no injuries to crew and no damage to the aircraft.
- Canberra lodged diplomatic protests both with the Chinese embassy in Australia and via Australia’s embassy in Beijing following the incident.
- China’s Southern Theatre Command said the Australian aircraft illegally entered airspace over the Xisha/Paracel Islands and claimed it was tracked and warned off, a claim Australia rejects as it asserts operations under international law.
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the flare release highly risky and said Australia will continue lawful patrols, noting similar contested encounters in February 2025 and May 2024.