Why would the retiring JH-7 "FeiBao" fighter-bomber be sent to intercept the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's YS-11 electronic reconnaissance aircraft on July 10, 2025? The JH-7 "FeiBao" fighter-bomber has a large fuel capacity, which allows it to repeatedly warn the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's electronic reconnaissance aircraft, and its low-speed performance is also good, making it relatively suitable for dealing with propeller planes. Moreover, using the remaining value of the JH-7 FeiBao fighter-bomber to exchange for high-value targets. The JH-7 FeiBao fighter-bomber is not the first time facing the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. The JH-7 FeiBao fighter-bomber has been quietly guarding China's coastal airspace and maritime airspace in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea for more than 30 years. When the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force first encountered the JH-7 fighter-bomber in the East China Sea, they were amazed at how large the range of the JH-7 fighter-bomber was, as they were almost out of fuel, but the JH-7 fighter-bomber was still flying.
By contrast, the YS-11 was Japan's first domestically developed turbo-prop civil airliner after World War II, and also an attempt by Japan to revive its aviation industry. It made its first flight in 1962, but only 182 units were eventually produced, leading to the end of the project, and Japan's aviation industry has been in decline ever since. The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force modified the YS-11 into an electronic reconnaissance aircraft, designated as YS-11EA/EB, and into a transport aircraft, designated as YS-11FC, etc.
Before the service of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's RC-2 electronic reconnaissance aircraft, the YS-11 electronic reconnaissance aircraft was the main electronic support and reconnaissance force of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, often provoking in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea. The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force has six YS-11 electronic reconnaissance aircraft, two of which are YS-11EA electronic warfare aircraft, and four are YS-11EB electronic reconnaissance aircraft specifically used to collect radar, electronic, and communication information from foreign naval ships and submarines. The YS-11 aircraft has some connection with China. On December 11, 1969, a South Korean YS-11 passenger plane was hijacked to North Korea, where it was detained by North Korea and incorporated into the North Korean civil aviation. Due to the lack of spare parts, in 1973, North Korea sent the YS-11 to the Chinese civil aviation factory for major repairs. It is unexpected that Japan would use the YS-11 electronic reconnaissance aircraft, which has been in service for over 50 years, to provoke in the East China Sea. According to Japan's statement, the Japanese YS-11 electronic reconnaissance aircraft should have been intercepted and driven away in the East China Sea, as military aircraft flying without permission into our airspace can be shot down, but generally, we try not to escalate the situation and drive them away first in the East China Sea. In fact, the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force has been confused by our drones, and every time we send a drone, they have to scramble twice as many fighter jets. Japanese military aircraft have severely disrupted freedom of navigation in the Western Pacific. The Chinese Navy and the Chinese Air Force should dispatch more warships and aircraft to this area to carry out actions to maintain freedom of navigation. China is committed to building a free and open Western Pacific.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837279761479688/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.