Australian Defense Minister Condemns Chinese Jet's "Lock-On" of Japanese Aircraft

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Richard Marles, has publicly criticized a dangerous aerial intercept by a Chinese fighter jet. The incident occurred over the East China Sea, where the Chinese aircraft used its radar to "lock on" to Japanese military planes. A radar "lock-on" is a significant escalation. It means the jet's targeting system actively tracked the Japanese aircraft, a step often taken just before launching a missile. Japan's government formally protested the action as a threat to flight safety. Minister Marles called the act "unacceptable" and expressed Australia's full support for Japan. His statement follows a month of diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Tokyo, sparked by a recent remark from Japan's prime minister. Regional security analysts describe Australia's statement as carefully worded but important. They view it as a welcome show of solidarity with Japan amid China's ongoing campaign of political and military pressure.