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Explainer | What mainland China’s spy drone flights around Taiwan could mean for cross-strait conflict
- Analysts say Beijing’s long-range UAVs could play crucial role in surveillance, blockades, strikes and assassinations
- TB-001 drone’s loop around the island is ‘key step’ in mainland China’s preparations to achieve reunification, says military expert
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Amber Wangin Beijing
Taiwan reported on Wednesday it had detected People’s Liberation Army (PLA) drones circling the island. It was the second time in a week Beijing was spotted carrying out such a manoeuvre in what is believed to be a new tactic to collect intelligence and test the PLA’s capabilities for possible military action against the island.
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According to military analysts, Beijing’s long-range reconnaissance drones – especially one capable of carrying heavy weapons – could play a crucial role in surveillance, blockades, strikes and assassinations.
Both Taiwan and mainland China are developing and investing in drones as they watch for lessons from Ukraine, where unmanned aircraft have played a key role in the war.
What happened?
Taipei first reported PLA drones circling the island last week.
A flight path map released on April 28 by Taiwan’s defence ministry showed a TB-001 long-endurance strike and reconnaissance drone had circled the island, while a BZK-005 long-range reconnaissance drone made a half-loop before heading back towards mainland China.
On May 3, Taipei reported that a BZK-005 had looped around the eastern side of the island, flying clockwise from north to south.
What can these drones do?
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