China scrambled 2 J-11s and 1 Y-8 AEW during DDG 110’s FON in Spratly Islands

China said it scrambled two J-11 fighters and a Y-8 airborne early warning aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) when USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110) conducted a “freedom-of-navigation” operation near Fiery Cross Reef on May 10.

The new release did not statement where the aircraft were launched. China is known to have deployed J-11 fighters to Woody Island in the Paracel archipelago.

The Chinese navy also dispatched destroyer Guangzhou, frigates Linfen and Mianyang to challenge USS William P. Lawrence.