Taiwan detects PLA aircraft and PLAN vessels near territory

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence reported that four sorties of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, and three official ships were detected operating around Taiwan on Monday. All four aircraft sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zones (ADIZ), with one aircraft breaching the southern ADIZ.

This follows activity on Sunday, when the ministry detected 12 PLA aircraft sorties, six PLAN vessels, and three official ships, five of which entered the southwestern ADIZ.

Data from the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration indicates a significant increase in maritime presence. Last month, 244 Chinese vessels were detected in waters around Taiwan, up from 55 in June and 30 in May. Approximately 60 percent of these vessels were identified as Chinese coast guard ships. The increase in Chinese research vessel activity has also been noted as a point of concern regarding military data collection.