Zheng Shuai/VCG via Getty Images
A new video from Taiwan's response to China's military exercises this week shows a Chinese J-15 carrier-based fighter jet through the sniper pod on an American-made F-16.
The Chinese drills, which were called "Joint Sword-2024B," saw a record number of Chinese aircraft flying around Taiwan, according to data from Taiwan's defense ministry.
Taiwan's Military News Agency, part of the Ministry of National Defense, published the video on Monday. In the footage, a Taiwanese F-16 uses its sniper pod surveillance system to track a Chinese J-15, presumably from the Chinese carrier that participated in the Chinese drills.
The F-16's Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a device that allows aircraft to detect and track targets. Lockheed describes the sniper pod as a "lightweight" system capable of handling "the most challenging precision targeting and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance" missions.
In the video, the F-16 keeps a lock on the J-15 as it flies across the sky. The fourth-generation J-15 is a multirole fighter derived from the Russian Su-33 that serves as a carrier-based aircraft. China is working on a next-generation aircraft, but for now, the Shenyang J-15 is the primary fighter jet for China's carrier air wings.
During the "Joint Sword-2024B" drill, China's first carrier, the Liaoning, was operating to the southeast of Taiwan. China released video footage of the carrier launching jets during the exercise.
The drill notably included a record number of Chinese military aircraft flying around and in Taiwan's air defense identification zone. Taiwan's defense ministry said it detected 153 aircraft nearby on Monday, with 111 crossing the median line into the island democracy's de facto ADIZ.
In response to the large "Joint Sword-2024B" drills, Taiwan dispatched combat air patrol (CAP) aircraft and naval vessels and employed its coastal missile systems.
An Ni/Xinhua via Getty Images
China's military exercises followed a speech by Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te, marking National Day, an address in which he said the People's Republic of China cannot represent the Republic of China, prompting condemnation from Beijing.
Announced with no notice on Monday morning, China's drill involved joint forces from across its military, the People's Liberation Army.
China said the exercise was to test the effectiveness of its joint force at simulating combat readiness, blocking key ports and areas, and testing assaults on maritime and ground targets. Beijing also noted the exercise was aimed at "resolutely" foiling the "'Taiwanese Independence' separatist attempts." Experts have previously warned that these drills reflect real potential Chinese actions.
China claims Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out using force to bring the independent nation under its rule. Taipei rejects China's claims of sovereignty over it and has consistently worked to bolster Taiwan's military to deter and defend.
