>>19857737 pb
If an intercepting fighter deploys flares ahead of the intercepted aircraft this is the last and final warning before using lethal force.
For athe fighter this means that the intercepted plane is refusing to communicate or is failing to comply with the fighter's instructions.
The fault is with the intercepted plane and not the fighter. Remember that helo was/is operating on the edge of close to, or within the Chinese air defense identification zone ADIZ.
https://skybrary.aero/articles/military-interception-signalling