Pressuring Taiwan by Deploying Even Chinese Offensive Drones

If a Clash Occurs in the Taiwan Strait, Drones Will Be the First Weapon
Suicide Drone Firepower Revealed Earlier This Month, Threatening Taiwan Daily

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] China's attack drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) have intruded into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). This is the first time the Chinese People's Liberation Army has deployed attack drones in the Taiwan Strait.

Photo by Huanguo Shibao Capture

China's state-run Global Times, citing Taiwanese media reports, reported on the 19th that the attack drone 'Caihong-4 (CH-4)' conducted training in the southwestern ADIZ of Taiwan on the 17th.

Developed and deployed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the CH-4 is an attack drone designed to carry air-to-ground missiles and other armaments. The CH-4 can strike ground targets at altitudes of 3,000 to 5,000 meters and is known to be capable of flying for 14 hours when armed. This attack drone is reported to have performance similar to the U.S. General Atomics attack drone 'MQ-9 Reaper.' The CH-4 has been exported to countries such as Iraq and has been used in actual combat. The Chinese military also operates a 'disposable suicide drone (FH-901).'

Since U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan (August 2?3), the Chinese military has mobilized a large number of reconnaissance drones, including high-altitude long-range reconnaissance drones (WZ-7) and BZK-007, BZK-005, KVD-001, TB-001, to monitor the area around Taiwan Island. Given that the CH-4 is an attack drone rather than a reconnaissance drone, it is expected to exert considerable pressure on Taiwan's military authorities.

Photo by Global Times capture

Chinese aviation expert Pu Chenxiao stated, "After Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the People's Liberation Army deployed various drones with different missions in the Taiwan Strait," adding, "In the future, various types of drones will conduct reconnaissance over Taiwan Island, and drone surveillance of the Taiwan Strait will become routine." He further warned, "If a collision occurs in the Taiwan Strait, drones will be the first weapons used by the Chinese military."

On the 8th, the Chinese military revealed live-fire training footage of CH-4 and CH-5 attack drones along with the firepower of the FH-901. Chinese media described the FH-901 drone as similar to the U.S. reconnaissance and suicide drone 'Switchblade,' boasting that the FH-901 is equipped with the capability to locate targets and destroy enemies by self-detonation, showcasing their domestic drone technology.