Taiwan: PLA anti-submarine helicopter spotted entering island’s air defence zone for first time
- Soviet-designed Ka-28 was likely to have taken off from a nearby warship that was not spotted by the island, says military researcher
- The island is closely watching whether Beijing will take advantage of Western countries being distracted by the Ukraine crisis to attack the island
A People’s Liberation Army Ka-28 anti-submarine helicopter was spotted entering Taiwan’s air defence zone this week for the first time, according to the island’s defence ministry.
The helicopter, which can track and destroy submarines, was taking part in war readiness exercises against the island, a mainland expert said.
The ministry said three PLA aircraft – a Y-8 electronic intelligence aircraft, a Y-8 electronic warfare aircraft and a Ka-28 anti-submarine warfare helicopter – entered Taiwan’s southwest air defence identification zone on Wednesday.
The Ka-28 helicopter, an export version of the Soviet-designed Ka-27, is a ship-borne helicopter, which experts said was most likely operated from a PLA warship sailing nearby that went undetected by the island.
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Taiwan holds urban, aerial combat drills amid threats of invasion by mainland China
The helicopter is one of 173 PLA aircraft that have entered Taiwan’s ADIZ on 32 days this year, according to Taiwan’s defence department.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory that must be brought back to the mainland’s fold – by force if necessary.
