Taiwanese F-16 Locks Onto PLA J-16 During China’s ‘Justice Mission 2025’ Drills, Escalating Cross-Strait Tensions
Taiwanese F-16 Locks Onto PLA J-16 During China’s ‘Justice Mission 2025’ Drills, Escalating Cross-Strait Tensions
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| A Taiwanese Air Force F-16V monitors a Chinese PLA J-16 fighter during China’s Justice Mission 2025 military exercises near the Taiwan Strait. |
Taipei /
Beijing — January 1, 2026
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has
confirmed that a Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) F-16V fighter jet locked
its targeting systems onto a People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) J-16
combat aircraft during large-scale Chinese military drills around Taiwan. The
incident occurred amid China’s high-profile “Justice Mission 2025” exercises, intensifying concerns
over regional security and raising fresh questions about stability in the
Taiwan Strait.
The encounter, captured on onboard sensors and
later released by Taiwan’s defense authorities, highlights the increasingly
close and complex interactions between Chinese and Taiwanese military aircraft
as Beijing continues to expand its air and naval operations near the island.
Targeting
Lock Captured During Heightened Military Activity
According to Taiwan’s defense officials, the
targeting lock occurred on December 30, 2025, as Chinese military aircraft
operated in areas surrounding Taiwan during the second day of the drills.
Footage released by the ministry shows the F-16V using an advanced
electro-optical targeting pod to track the J-16 in real time.
Defense officials emphasized that the incident
did not involve the launch of weapons and should not be interpreted as a direct
combat engagement. A targeting lock, they noted, is a standard procedure in
modern air operations, enabling pilots to maintain situational awareness and
prepare for potential threats while remaining within established rules of
engagement.
By releasing the footage publicly, Taiwanese
authorities sought to demonstrate their ability to monitor and respond to
Chinese military movements while maintaining transparency with the domestic
population and international observers.
China’s
‘Justice Mission 2025’ Drills
The aerial encounter took place during Justice Mission 2025, one of the largest
and most comprehensive Chinese military exercises conducted around Taiwan in
recent years. The drills, held over two days at the end of December, involved
coordinated operations by China’s air force, navy, ground units, and missile
forces.
Chinese defense officials described the
exercise as a test of joint combat readiness and inter-service coordination.
The drills reportedly included simulated strikes, live-fire exercises, maritime
patrols, and operations designed to practice controlling key sea and air routes
around Taiwan.
Beijing has framed the exercises as a response
to what it describes as growing separatist tendencies in Taiwan and increased
foreign involvement in the region. Chinese authorities reiterated their
position that Taiwan is an integral part of China and stated that the drills
were intended to deter actions that could undermine national sovereignty.
Scale
and Intensity of the Exercises
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported a
significant increase in Chinese military activity during the exercise period.
Dozens of Chinese warships and coast guard vessels were observed operating near
Taiwan’s surrounding waters, while a large number of military aircraft entered
Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone.
Officials stated that multiple Chinese aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, a long-standing but
unofficial boundary that has traditionally served as a buffer between the two
sides. The ministry also noted the establishment of temporary live-fire zones
by China, which affected civilian aviation and maritime traffic in the region.
While Chinese authorities later declared the
drills a success and announced their conclusion, Taiwan characterized the
exercises as destabilizing and provocative, arguing that they increased the
risk of miscalculation in an already tense environment.
Taiwan’s Defensive Response
In response to the drills, Taiwan placed its
armed forces on heightened alert. Air force, navy, and missile units were
deployed to monitor Chinese movements, and routine training schedules were
adjusted to ensure rapid response capabilities.
President Lai Ching-te reaffirmed Taiwan’s
commitment to defending its democratic system and territorial integrity,
stating that the island would continue to strengthen its defense capabilities
while seeking to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Taiwanese defense planners have increasingly
emphasized the importance of advanced surveillance, early warning systems, and
precision response capabilities. The use of upgraded F-16V fighters, equipped
with modern sensors and avionics, reflects this strategic focus on maintaining
credible deterrence despite numerical disadvantages.
Strategic
Significance of the F-16 and J-16 Encounter
Military analysts say the F-16 targeting lockhighlights the evolving nature of air operations in the Taiwan Strait. Rather
than isolated incidents, such encounters are becoming more frequent as Chinese
aircraft operate closer to Taiwan and remain in contested airspace for longer
durations.
The J-16, one of China’s most capable
multirole fighters, represents a key component of the PLA’s air combat fleet.
Taiwan’s ability to track such aircraft using upgraded systems signals improved
situational awareness and operational readiness, even as the balance of power
in the region continues to shift.
Experts caution, however, that close-range
interactions between advanced fighter aircraft increase the risk of accidents
or unintended escalation, particularly during periods of heightened political
tension.
International
Reactions and Regional Concerns
The drills and the reported targeting incident
have drawn attention from governments across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. While
many countries stopped short of direct criticism, several emphasized the
importance of restraint, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Concerns have also been raised about the
potential impact of large-scale military exercises on commercial shipping,
global supply chains, and international air traffic routes that pass near
Taiwan. The Taiwan Strait remains one of the world’s most important waterways,
making stability in the area a matter of global economic significance.
Beijing, meanwhile, has rejected accusations
of destabilization, insisting that its military activities are lawful and
necessary. Chinese officials have maintained that external forces bear
responsibility for rising tensions by encouraging closer security cooperation
with Taiwan.
Risk of
Miscalculation
Security experts warn that the combination of
frequent drills, advanced weapon systems, and close proximity operations
increases the likelihood of misjudgment. While both sides maintain established
communication protocols, analysts note that political tensions can complicate
military decision-making during unexpected encounters.
The release of targeting footage by Taiwan has
been interpreted by some observers as a deterrence signal, while others see it
as part of a broader information strategy aimed at shaping public and
international perceptions.
Regardless of intent, experts agree that
sustained military pressure around Taiwan represents a long-term challenge to
regional stability and will require careful management by all parties involved.
Looking
Ahead
As China concludes its Justice Mission 2025drills and Taiwan continues to enhance its defensive posture, the strategic
environment in the Taiwan Strait remains highly sensitive. Both sides have
signaled determination, and neither appears willing to reduce military activity
in the near term.
The F-16 and J-16 encounter serves as a
reminder of how quickly routine monitoring can take on broader political
significance in one of the world’s most contested regions. With global
attention focused on the Indo-Pacific, developments in the Taiwan Strait are
likely to remain a central issue for policymakers, security analysts, and
international observers throughout 2026.
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