A Tu-154 electronic warfare aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and a Y-12 utility aircraft of China’s State Oceanic Administration entered the Japanese air defense identification zone (ADIZ) simultaneously on Feb. 21, according to the state-run China News Service.

The Japanese defense ministry first reported on Friday that a Chinese Tu-154 was detected near the border of its ADIZ while another aircraft, the Y-12, flew into the zone and was spotted 140 kilometers away from the disputed Diaoyutai islands (Senkaku to Japan, Diaoyu to China). The F-15J fighters of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force were scrambled to intercept the intruding aircraft, the ministry said.

Observers say Tu-154 may have been deployed to the Diaoyutai region on a recon mission.

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