Chinese military drone allegedly used false aircraft identities in South China Sea operations, raising concerns over Taiwan invasion rehearsals.
China has been accused of masking military drone flights in the South China Sea by transmitting false transponder signals, a move analysts say could be a rehearsal for operations targeting Taiwan.
According to investigators and open source intelligence analysts, a large Chinese military drone identified as a Wing Loong 2 unmanned aerial vehicle conducted multiple flights while disguising itself as other aircraft. These included a sanctioned Belarusian cargo plane operated by Rada Airlines and even a Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jet.
The flights reportedly originated from Qionghai Boao International Airport in Hainan, a dual use commercial and military facility.
Flight tracking data reviewed by analysts showed the drone frequently flying star and hourglass shaped surveillance patterns over sensitive areas of the South China Sea.
Experts say the tactic represents a significant evolution in Beijing’s so called ‘grey zone’ operations actions designed to assert dominance and test adversaries without triggering open conflict.
By broadcasting false 24 bit transponder codes, the drone appeared on public tracking systems as entirely different aircraft.
While such masking would be unlikely to deceive advanced military radar systems, analysts argue it could create confusion in the early stages of a conflict. Even brief uncertainty in identifying aircraft could complicate response times in highly automated warfare environments.
Two particularly unusual incidents were noted. In one flight, the drone allegedly switched identities multiple times mid air before landing under the guise of a Belarusian aircraft.
it transmitted the same identity as a real cargo plane that was airborne at the same time, suggesting deliberate electronic deception.
Security analysts believe the routes especially those near the Bashi Channel and waters south of Hainan mirror strategic pathways that would be critical in any future military operation involving Taiwan. When overlaid on a map of Taiwan, the flight paths reportedly pass near several military points of interest, including areas around Taipei and the island’s southern coast.
The Wing Loong 2 drone, produced by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, is primarily used for surveillance but can also be configured for precision strikes and anti submarine missions.
China’s defence ministry has not publicly responded to the allegations. Analysts say the operations may signal increasing readiness by Beijing as tensions across the Taiwan Strait persist.
Observers warn that such deception tactics if refined could be used not only to conceal surveillance missions but also to disrupt adversaries’ situational awareness in a crisis.
As regional powers monitor developments closely, the reported flights underscore growing concern over military manoeuvres in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive waterways.
Goodness Anunobi
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