Chinese Warplane Fires Flares Close to Canadian Helicopter in South China Sea

Corporal Riley Aucoin, an Aviation Systems Technician, approaches HMCS Ottawa’s embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter “GREYWOLF” upon completion of flight operations in the South China Sea during Indo-Pacific Deployment on Oct. 7, 2023. Aviator Gregory Cole, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

In a rare move, a Chinese fighter jet launched flares in front of a Canadian helicopter flying over the South China Sea, the Department of National Defence is reporting.

The Oct. 29 incident involved a Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter embarked on the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ottawa.