Rising Risk of Armed Conflicts Worldwide... Concerns Over Potential Spread of War

Australian Patrol Aircraft vs Chinese Fighter Jet: Moments Before Collision

Russian Navy warship. / Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense, Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] As NATO and Russia conduct military exercises in the Baltic Sea and surrounding areas, the risk of armed conflict is increasing worldwide, with Australia and China also coming close to clashes in their airspace.

According to the British daily The Times on the 9th, NATO has been conducting the military exercise 'Ramstein Legacy 22,' a joint air force air and missile defense system verification exercise, since the 6th. Approximately 3,000 NATO troops, 50 aircraft, and 17 ground-based air and missile defense units are participating.

A press release distributed on the first day of the exercise stated that the exercise, held until the 10th in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, involves forces from 17 NATO allied and partner countries conducting joint defense drills under NATO command and control.

Additionally, since the 5th of this month, NATO has been conducting the 'Baltops 22' exercise in the Baltic Sea, involving 14 NATO member countries as well as Finland and Sweden, which recently expressed their intention to join NATO.

Held annually since 1972, this exercise includes 45 ships, 75 aircraft, and approximately 7,500 personnel this year, testing capabilities such as amphibious landings, naval gunfire, anti-ship, anti-air, mine countermeasures, explosive ordnance disposal, unmanned underwater vehicles, and medical response.

On the 8th, defense ministers from the Northern Group, a security cooperation body of 12 Northern European countries, gathered in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, and issued a joint statement condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They pledged continued military and political support for Ukraine and welcomed Finland and Sweden's decisions to apply for NATO membership.

Iceland's Foreign Minister Þ?rd?s Gylfad?ttir said, "The threat of direct military attack against NATO member countries can no longer be ruled out," and regarding Russia, stated that "we must prepare for the worst-case scenario."

Meanwhile, Russia announced on the 9th (local time) that its Baltic Fleet had begun tactical exercises. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated, "According to the 2022 Baltic Fleet training plan, tactical exercises involving the entire fleet under the command of the Baltic Fleet commander have commenced in the Baltic Sea and the training grounds in Kaliningrad, a Russian western exclave."

It added, "As part of the exercise, Baltic Fleet ships have departed their home bases and deployed to designated areas in the Baltic Sea to carry out training tasks," explaining that "the purpose of the exercise is to enhance the fleet command's readiness and combat capability, strengthen coordination, and conduct combat drills for fleet crew members."

The Ministry of Defense introduced that about 60 warships belonging to the Baltic Fleet, more than 40 fighter jets and helicopters, and approximately 2,000 various military equipment are involved in the exercise. The training will continue until the 19th of this month.

Australia's P-8 maritime patrol aircraft.
Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the Australian and Chinese governments continue to engage in a blame game over a near-collision incident between an Australian maritime patrol aircraft and a Chinese fighter jet operating near Taiwan's airspace.

Earlier, on the 5th (local time), the Australian Department of Defense claimed in a statement that a Chinese fighter jet interfered with the routine surveillance activities of an Australian patrol aircraft by releasing a bundle of chaff?metallic strips used to confuse enemy radar?some of which dangerously entered the patrol aircraft's engine.

In response, spokesperson Tan Kefei said on the 7th, "On the 26th of last month, an Australian P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft entered the airspace near the Xisha Islands (Paracel Islands) and conducted close reconnaissance," adding, "Despite repeated warnings from the Chinese side, the patrol aircraft approached very close to the Chinese airspace over the Xisha Islands."

He continued, "The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army organized naval and air forces to identify the Australian military aircraft and issued warnings to leave," pointing out that "the Australian military aircraft severely threatened China's sovereignty and security."

Spokesperson Tan also criticized Australia's claims, stating, "The Chinese military's response was professional, reasonable, and lawful," and accused Australia of "distorting the truth and spreading false information to incite confrontation."

He warned, "China has notified Australia to immediately cease such dangerous provocative acts and strictly regulate the actions of its naval and air forces," adding, "Otherwise, Australia will bear all serious consequences that follow."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.