2025/07/16
Ministry of National Defense Statement on the PLA’s Joint Combat Readiness Patrol
Ministry of National Defense Press Release
Time: 1230 hours, July 16, 2025
The Ministry of National Defense stated today (July 16) that, starting at 0807 hours, a total of 38 sorties of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, including J-16 fighters, KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft, and drones, were detected conducting maritime activities, with 28 sorties crossing the median line and its extension, entering Taiwan’s central and southwestern airspaces. In coordination with PLA naval vessels, these actions, under the guise of a so-called “joint combat readiness patrol,” disrupted Taiwan’s surrounding air and sea domains. The ROC Armed Forces employed joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance measures to closely monitor the situation and deployed mission aircraft, naval vessels, and shore-based missile systems to respond appropriately.