PLA Sorties Rebound to 3 After Zero-Sortie Day; All Cross Median Line Into N/SW ADIZ Sectors

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected 3 PLA aircraft sorties, 8 PLAN vessels and 7 official ships operating around Taiwan in the 24-hour window ending 06:00 (UTC+8) on August 22, 2026 — a rebound from the prior day's zero-sortie reading. All 3 sorties crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, entering the northern and southwestern sectors of Taiwan's ADIZ. The full post-Han Kuang 42 sequence now reads: Aug 14: 9 → Aug 15: 4 → Aug 16: 11 → Aug 17: 1 → Aug 18: 5 → Aug 19: 20 → Aug 20: n/a → Aug 21: 0 → Aug 22: 3, continuing the day-to-day fluctuation pattern with no new record since the June 4 all-time high of 32. ROC Armed Forces said they responded with combat air patrol aircraft, naval ships and coastal missile systems.