March 29, 2024
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Collins receives classified briefing on U.S. spy plane

PORTLAND – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins received a classified briefing Monday on the collision of a U.S. Navy spy plane with a Chinese fighter jet.

Collins, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was briefed by officials from the Department of Defense, the Navy and the Department of State.

The turboprop EP-3 surveillance plane collided with the Chinese jet early Sunday morning. It was carrying a crew of 24 and made an emergency landing on the Chinese island of Hainan.

Collins expressed concern that U.S. officials weren’t immediately allowed access to the plane.

“While the incident appears to have been an accident caused by the Chinese jet fighter flying too close to the EP-3, the Chinese government has an obligation to return both the military crew and the aircraft without further delay,” she said.

“I am also concerned about the possible compromise of the EP-3, which contains highly sensitive surveillance equipment,” she said. “Chinese officials reportedly boarded this aircraft, which they had no right to do, perhaps obtaining access to sensitive data and equipment.”


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