Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense stated on September 9, 2026, that starting at 9:22 AM, 16 PLA aircraft sorties—including J-10, Su-30, and JH-7 fighters, Y-8 electronic warfare aircraft, KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft, and drones—were detected operating off Taiwan.
According to the ministry, 11 of the 16 detected sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan's northern, central, and eastern airspace. The aircraft operated in coordination with PLA naval vessels executing a joint combat readiness patrol in the surrounding sea and airspace.
In response, Taiwan's armed forces monitored the military activities using joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, and deployed task aircraft, naval vessels, and shore-based missile defense systems to respond appropriately.
