The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced today that last week a Chinese warship pointed its missile guidance system at a Japanese destroyer in what they are calling an unmistakable show of aggression.

The report out of Tokyo describes a January 30th event when a 053 Chinese frigate locked its “sixth fire control radar” onto a Japanese helicopter carrier just outside of Yokosuka.

One of these was likely the Hyûga (DDH-181) from the naval base at Yokosuka. The fire-control radar in question is used specifically to calculate the best way to hit a target. This focused beam of radar only has one intention: hitting and destroying a target.

The New York Times believes this to be the second time that a Chinese vessel used fire-control radar against the Japanese.

The first time is said to have been on the 19th of January when a Chinese frigate used the radar on a Japanese helicopter before switching it off without any incident. This move by China has just escalated the situation to a whole new level.

The Chinese East Fleet maintains 35 ships in the disputed over region including 7 Russian-made submarines capable of the most advanced underwater warfare. Luckily, China’s use of the radars did not prompt immediate defensive measures by the Japanese. But for how much longer the Japanese show restraint is questionable.

Paul Hudson | Elite.