China's 300 drones a growing force against US Navy
Staff Reporter 2013-03-17 08:59
A model of China's CH-4 drone, displayed at the 2012 Zhuhai Air Show. (Photo/Samuel Hui)
China would be able to equip the People's Liberation Army with nearly 300 unmanned aerial vehicles against US aircraft carrier in a potential conflict, according to a 29-page report published by the US-based Project 2049 Institute.
China currently has the most expansive unmanned aerial vehicle fleet in the world, according to the report. By 2011, the PLA already had about 280 drones in service. After more R&D centers complete flight tests for new drones and mass produce them, the number will increase gradually.
The unmanned aerial vehicles are currently equipped by every service branch of the PLA. While the General Staff Department and the Second Artillery Corps, responsible for strategic and tactical missiles, are in command of high-altitude endurance drones, Easton and Hsiao stated that the PLA Air Force, Navy and ground forces deploy them for tactical and training missions.
Capable of launching long-range precision strikes, the PLA drones are considered a deadly threat to the US Navy operating in the Asia-Pacific region, the report said.
In the event of attack, the drones would first be deployed to locate, track and target US aircraft carriers with DF-21D anti-ship missiles. China would additionally be able to deliver a major blow to US carrier battle groups with swarms of multi-mission drones in the event of conflict, according to the report.
The report indicated that some combat unmanned aerial vehicles may be deployed as platforms to launch anti-ship missile strikes against US vessels. "The ultimate goal of combined UAV and missile campaigns would be to penetrate otherwise robust defense networks through tightly coordinated operations planned to optimize the probability of overwhelming targets," said the report.
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