- ARAB NEWS
- 03 May 2024
Since 1975
Japanese Self-Defense Forces aircraft were scrambled 523 times to counter possible intrusions into Japanese airspace by Chinese aircraft in April-December last year, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
The number was up by 47 from a year earlier and the second highest on record for the nine-month period after 644 in 2016.
Scrambles against Chinese aircraft, mainly fighters, accounted for some 70 pct of the total number of scrambles against foreign aircraft, which came to 742, down by 16 from a year before.
Chinese activities remain robust, the ministry said, showing its stance of keeping a close eye on the situation.
SDF scrambles against Russian planes, mainly fighters and reconnaissance aircraft, were made 216 times, down by 54, making up 29 pct of the total.
