Japan says Chinese J-15 aggressively intercepted patrol aircraft

A PLAN Shenyang J-15 carrier-borne fighter aircraft flies next to a Japan Lockheed P-3C maritime patrol aircraft on 8 June 2025. (Japanese MoD)

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Lockheed P-3C maritime patrol aircraft that was monitoring the Chinese navy's first operational deployment of two carrier strike groups in the Western Pacific was subject to an “unusual” interception by Chinese carrier-borne fighters, Tokyo has said.

Over two days, on 7 and 8 June Shenyang J-15 fighter aircraft from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) closely followed a JMSDF P-3C and conducted manoeuvres that could have “triggered an accidental collision”, the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on 11 June.

The J-15 fighters originated from the PLAN's Shandong (CV-17) aircraft carrier, the MoD added.

China's two-carrier deployment in the Western Pacific region was initially led by aircraft carrier Liaoning (CV-16), according to the Joint Staff Office (JSO) of the Japanese MoD. Liaoning crossed the Miyako Strait and sailed into the Western Pacific on 27 May.

China's second aircraft carrier Shandong was also detected operating in the Western Pacific on 7 June. Between 7 and 8 June the two carrier groups began operating in the waters on either side of Iwo Jima, according to the JSO.

This was not only the first time that the two Chinese carriers were deployed in the Pacific Ocean together, but it was also the first time that Shandong was “active in the waters east of Iwo Jima”, Japan's Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani said on 10 June.

The MoD data show that Liaoning was present in Japanese territorial waters from 27 to 28 May and on 7 June. Shandong