China sends 22 aircraft, including drones, on 'joint combat readiness patrol' near Taiwan

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted a large-scale "joint combat readiness patrol" on July 30, 2026, deploying 22 aircraft, including fighter jets and drones, into areas near Taiwan. The operation, described by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense as military pressure, saw a significant number of aircraft crossing sensitive boundaries.

According to the ministry's statement, 16 of the 22 Chinese aircraft, which included J-11, J-16, H-6, and KJ-500 models, traversed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and its extended boundaries. These aircraft entered Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern, and eastern airspace. The PLA coordinated these aerial activities with naval vessels, operating under the guise of a "joint combat readiness patrol" to harass Taiwan's surrounding air and sea areas.

Taiwan's military confirmed it closely monitored the PLA's movements using its joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. In response to the incursion, Taiwan deployed combat aircraft, naval vessels, and shore-based missile systems to appropriately counter the actions and safeguard the security of its surrounding airspace and waters.

The Ministry of National Defense emphasized its readiness to handle such incursions, assuring the public that measures are in place to maintain regional stability. This latest military activity from China follows a pattern of sustained pressure aimed at Taiwan, challenging its sovereignty and regional security arrangements.