Conducting nasty attacks against another country without declaration of war is the way of the sneaky Japanese. They did it to China several times, to the Russians and then to the Americans in Pearl Harbour. And some silly Americans still praised the Japanese as honourable people, Samurai spirit. They have forgotten the devastating humiliation by the Japanese and the helpless poor American sailors clinging to the wreckage for life.
The latest Japanese F35s intrusion into the airspace of the Liaoning aircraft carrier conducting exercise in international waters is a prelude to something devious in the making. They are testing Liaoning's defences and planning for a sneaky strike to sink the carrier. The sinking of Liaoning is as serious as the attack on the American fleet in Pearl Harbour. They are doing the dry runs just like their bombing practices on an island before they struck Pearl Harbour.
The two Japanese F15s were intercepted and locked on by the J15s' radar, meaning with the push of the button, they would be dead. The PL15 missiles have a 100% kill record in the India Pakistan War. The two pilots went back crying to their defence minister who got the cheek to cry foul, accusing Chinese pilots of dangerous moves and unprofessionalism. The Japanese are turning this uncalled for provocation as if they were the victims, a sly way to justify hostile actions against China. They are using the American playbook, provoke a reaction to justify an attack.
What the hell were the F15s intruding into the private and safety space of the Liaoning? The F15's moves were highly dangerous and provocative. They could launch a surprise strike on the Liaoning at close range. The pilots should just shoot down the F15s, calling it an existential threat to the Liaoning.
The incidents revealed two possibilities. By the way, the radar locks were executed twice, once for 3 minutes and another for 30 minutes. It could mean that the F15s were attempting different approaches and angles to simulate an attack against the Liaoning and did not mind being locked on, did not take any evasive actions to defend themselves. A second and more likely scenario, they fought to break free from the J15s but failed, could not outmanoeuver the J15s. This meant that the aged and obsolete 1980s F15s could not outfly the J15s, or the pilots were not good enough. In the first incident, the locked on was a long 3 minutes, more than enough time to shoot down the F15 many times over. The second locked on of 30 minutes was even more humiliating and excruciating. It meant that the F15 could not shake off the lock and was literally held on by a leash for a good 30 minutes with the J15 on its tail. The poor pilot must have pulled all the Gs he could, sweating, gasping and even peeing in his jumpsuit. He must have had the most harrowing experience of his life, his life hanging on a string and at the mercy of the J15 pilot.
The sneaky Japanese must be eyeing to sink a Chinese aircraft carrier or other equally massive targets like the Hainan or Dalian Naval Base. Other possible targets could be big Chinese cities or even nuclear sites. The sinking of a Chinese aircraft carrier to start a war with China could be an incentive to tempt the Americans to join in, thinking that if Japan could do it, to inflict the first fatal damage, the chances are good to defeat China. This is likely the thinking of the reckless warhawks in Japan.
I called them reckless because they are taking on China, a nuclear superpower with a military many times that of Japan. It is a sure loss gamble. The only hope is to draw in the Americans. If the Americans did not take the bait, the whole of Japan would be in ruins. But this is nothing new. When the Japanese struck at Pearl Harbour, they also took the same gamble against a mighty American Navy. They did it and not a surprise if they would try to knock out some muscle off the PLA with a sneak attack.
China knows exactly the nature of the cunning and devious Japanese. China is all ready, in a state of high alert, to prevent a Pearl Harbour from happening. Very likely China's Rocket Force has all its operators ready, 7/24, with their fingers on the buttons, ready to send everything into Japan. China would not be caught with its pants down. This is not only unforgiveable. A mistake is deadly and existential.
China is waiting for the Japanese to make the first move. Has been waiting for such a moment for a long time.