Taiwan’s Top Flanker Jet Monitors Chinese J-16 Without Detection

Taiwan has recently showcased its military capabilities in response to China’s “Justice Mission 2025” exercise near Taiwan. The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan released a video titled “Resilient Taiwan, Steadfast Defense,” featuring a Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) F-16V tracking a Chinese J-16 multirole aircraft and a Taiwanese Navy Cheng Kung–class frigate shadowing a PLA Navy Type 054A frigate at sea.

The video’s significance lies in the use of the AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod, a passive electro-optical system that allows the Taiwanese jet to monitor and potentially engage the Chinese aircraft without alerting it. This capability could give Taiwan the upper hand in a conflict scenario by enabling a “silent kill” without emitting radar signals.

The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan activated a response center and conducted combat readiness drills in response to China’s military exercises. They also released imagery to reassure the public and signal to Beijing that Taiwan maintains credible deterrent capabilities despite the numerical disadvantage.

Taiwan’s enhanced aerial deterrence revolves around the F-16V, a result of the Peace Phoenix Rising program launched in 2016 to upgrade existing F-16A/B Block 20 fighters. The modernized F-16V aircraft feature advanced systems like AESA radar, helmet-mounted cueing systems, and the AN/AAQ-33 Sniper pod, which provides long-range detection of airborne targets without revealing the aircraft’s presence.

The J-16 aircraft being tracked in the video is a formidable opponent, derived from the Russian Su-27 lineage and equipped with advanced systems like AESA radar and Chinese-made WS-10B engines. With nearly 400 J-16s in service with the PLA Air Force, Chinese analysts consider it one of their primary frontline platforms, comparing it to aircraft like the U.S. F-15 or France’s Rafale.

These military exercises come amid heightened tensions between China and Taiwan, exacerbated by recent arms sales to Taiwan by the United States and statements from Japanese leaders regarding the potential involvement in a Chinese blockade of Taiwan. The strategic messaging from both China and Taiwan underscores the delicate balance of power in the region, with Taiwan’s military efforts signaling its preparedness to defend itself against any potential threats.