The country will only face growing threats to its maritime sovereignty in the years to come. By June 03, 2021 MiG-29N fighter jets from the Royal Malaysian Air Force take part in a photo exercise in June 2014. Credit: U.S. Navy/ Jason Denny Advertisement China has once again flexed its muscles against Malaysian claims in the South China Sea, this time using airpower and not the typical deployment of coast guard vessels or maritime militia. On the afternoon of May 31, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) flew 16 aircraft consisting of Ilyushin Il-76 and Xian Y-20 multi-role airlifters over Malaysian maritime zone airspace close to Sarawak.