Defence China's concerns over Indo-Japanese military cooperation

The Chinese media has widely covered the joint exercise, particularly in the Chinese language ones. The extent of coverage is unusual, as Chinese commentators have frequently belittled the IAF's inventory and operational capabilities. A deeper study into the Chinese discourse unveils a subdued panic over the increasing military collaboration between Japan and India under US guidance in the Indo-Pacific. Moreover, Japan's attempt to familiarise itself with the Sukhoi-30 series fighter aircraft through this drill increases uncertainty for the Chinese Air Force in the region. [...] Japan, however, intends to benefit significantly from this air drill. This is the first time JASDF pilots simulate air combat operations with a Sukhoi-30 aircraft; therefore, their heightened curiosity is obvious. The JASDF aims to understand Sukhoi's combat behaviour, which may help them against Chinese and Russian Sukhoi series fighters in the future. China has nearly 700 Sukhoi-27 and Sukhoi-30 variants in its inventory, both produced in Russia and China. The Sukhoi fighters are the Chinese Air Force's backbone and are regularly used in air patrols around China's periphery.

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