Record 18 PLA bombers enter Taiwan’s air defence zone in latest ‘practice run’

Cross-strait tensions remain high since US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island in August, with US arms sales another point of friction

Repeated air defence zone incursions and median line crossings aim to normalise PLA presence in area and raise combat preparedness, observers say

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The H-6 is the PLA’s main long distance bomber and some models are able to carry nuclear payloads. Photo: Handout

Published: 8:52pm, 13 Dec 2022Updated: 9:42pm, 13 Dec 2022

Beijing has sent a record 18 bombers into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone, keeping up the pressure as cross-strait tensions remain high over the island’s close ties with the US.

Observers said continued sea and air combat drills by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) around Taiwan appeared to be practice runs for a future blockade or attack.

A total of 29 PLA warplanes and three warships were detected around Taiwan in the 24 hours to 6am on Tuesday, the island’s defence ministry said.

Of these, an unprecedented 18 H-6 bombers and one J-11 fighter jet entered Taiwan’s southwestern air defence zone.

A Y-8 anti-submarine and a Y-8 tactical reconnaissance aircraft also crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, according to the ministry statement which included a PLA flight path chart.

The latest PLA manoeuvres as detected by Taiwanese defence forces. Photo: Handout

PLA jets have routinely crossed the median line – hitherto honoured as an unofficial border between Taiwan and mainland China – since Beijing launched unprecedented live-fire drills following a visit to Taipei by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

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