The most recent reconnaissance mission occurred on December 21, when the US dispatched aircraft from Kadena air base in Japan and Clark airbase in the Philippines to monitor the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea region.
These aircraft included three P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine patrol aircraft, one E-3G early warning and control aircraft, and one RC-135V reconnaissance aircraft.
Furthermore, on June 3, an American reconnaissance plane, the RC-135C, traveled over the East China Sea and passed within 90 nautical miles of Shanghai. That mission was conducted a few days before China formally launched its third aircraft carrier, the domestically designed and constructed ‘Fujian.’
In a similar line, the EurAsian Times had earlier reported that seven US spy aircraft were seen operating close to Taiwan on August 5. The development comes amid geopolitical rivalry and tensions in the Indo-Pacific region that are at an all-time high.
Along with the US, Australia dispatched its warplanes to undertake surveillance flights over the Paracel Islands, also known as the Xisha in China, in the South China Sea in May.
According to data from the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI).
Flight data for December is not yet available, the US dispatched 47 large reconnaissance aircraft to patrol the South China Sea region in December last year, according to the SCSPI.
