KOTA KINABALU – 16 China military aircraft have been detected encroaching on Malaysia’s maritime zone on May 31.
The aircraft identified as being of the Iluyshin II-76 and X’ian Y-20 models were detected by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) defence radar in Sarawak at 11.53am yesterday.
A statement released by the RMAF tonight detailed the planes’ flight path.
RMAF said that they were flying in formation “in-trail” at a distance of 60 nautical miles from each other.
“The aircraft were spotted flying between 23,000 and 27,000 feet at a speed of 290 knots.
“They were flying over Singapore’s FIR (Flight Information Region – a section of Indonesian airspace managed by Singapore) before entering Malaysia maritime zone and continued to pass the Kota Kinabalu FIR to Sarawak coastal areas.
“Their flight path changed above a small island called Beting Patinggi Ali, which is on Malaysian soil off the coast of Sarawak.
“Their action is feared to pose a threat to national sovereignty,” said RMAF chief General Tan Sri Ackbal Abdul Samad tonight.
Ackbal said the Hawk 208 aircraft attached to Squadron number 6 stationed at the Labuan air force base was put on standby, while the air force continues to monitor their movement from land.
Several Malaysian aircraft were ordered to intercept the Chinese planes as they entered national airspace around 1.33pm to carry out visual identification.
The models Iluyshin II-76 and X’ian Y-20 aircraft used for strategic mission and carrier were identified.
“This incident is a serious threat to the national sovereignty and flight safety based on the air traffic near Kota Kinabalu flight zone,” said Ackbal.
He stressed that the Malaysian air force heeds aviation laws, and that the Foreign Ministry and also the Defence Ministry have been notified of the incident. – The Vibes, June 1, 2021
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