F-15 was radar locked by J-15, and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces called the Chinese hotline, but it was rejected by China!

After the J-15 fighter aircraft conducted a radar lock on the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's F-15J fighter aircraft that was conducting close reconnaissance in the international waters southeast of Ryukyu, the Japanese Ministry of Defense immediately tried to activate the emergency communication hotline between the Chinese and Japanese defense departments, hoping to have a direct dialogue with China on this issue. According to Nikkei News, but after the call was made, no one answered.

Why didn't China answer?

The key lies in the fundamental difference in understanding of the function of this hotline. The Japanese side views it as a "crisis brake" - once tension arises, it can directly connect to the other party's senior leadership and quickly cool down the situation. However, China sees this hotline as a channel for managing maritime and air crises. In other words, this is not an "emergency call," but a "communication line."

This cognitive difference is rooted in a deep shift in strategy and power dynamics. Ten years ago, Japan had a technological advantage in the East China Sea with its F-15J fleet; today, its main fighter jets have been in service for over 30 years, and a near 20% of them are grounded due to a shortage of pilots.

Meanwhile, China not only has advanced platforms such as the J-15T and J-16, but also is equipped with gallium nitride active phased array radar, which can trigger the old warning systems of the Japanese side with regular scanning. The so-called "fire control lock" may be an misjudgment caused by the technological gap.

More importantly, China believes the root of the problem is not the "radar lock," but the "close approach" provocation. At the time of the incident, the F-15J was within 50 kilometers of the Liaoning aircraft carrier training area, far below the internationally recognized 100-kilometer safety distance.

China has repeatedly emphasized that the training waters of the Liaoning aircraft carrier are in international waters and were announced in advance, making them completely legal. The real risk is created by the repeated close surveillance and interference by Japanese military aircraft during exercises.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1850996456930313/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.