Tensions between the US and China in the South China Sea have escalated, highlighted by recent incidents involving the USS Nimitz and its aircraft, amid ongoing disputes over territorial waters like Scarborough Shoal.
A fighter jet and a helicopter from the USS Nimitz crashed into the South China Sea within 30 minutes, with all crew members rescued and in stable condition. The incidents are under investigation, and President Trump suggested bad fuel as a possible cause. The USS Nimitz is returning to Washington after deployment in the Middle East, and recent mishaps involving other US carriers highlight ongoing challenges in military operations.
A US Navy helicopter and fighter jet crashed in the South China Sea within 30 minutes of each other during a period of heightened regional tensions coinciding with President Trump's visit to Asia; all personnel involved are safe, and investigations are ongoing.
Two Russian naval vessels, a submarine and a corvette, have suffered major damages due to separate incidents: the submarine experienced a critical fuel leak in the Mediterranean, and the corvette collided with a civilian tanker in the Azov Sea, with both incidents highlighting issues within the Russian Navy's operational readiness.