The Japan Air Self-Defense Force intercepted a Chinese GX-8 (also known as Y-9) surveillance aircraft approaching Japanese airspace on December 14.

JASDF fighter jets were scrambled over Japan this morning after a GX-8 electronic warfare and surveillance plane traversing the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea.

The GX-8 medium-sized electronic warfare and surveillance plane is based on the Shaanxi Y-9 transport platform. At least three GX-8s are known to be in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) North Sea Fleet’s 2nd Air Division.

Modern Chinese spy planes equipped with distinctively elongated antennas on its fuselage are employed to collect signals intelligence and analyse enemy electronic emissions.

China has been regularly dispatching its spy planes to the Sea of Japan and East China Sea.