Japan’s Ministry of Defense reported this week the interception of a Chinese TB-001 combat drone over the Western Pacific Ocean. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) flew from the East China Sea, south of Okinawa Island, before returning along the same route. This marks the third time this year that a Chinese military drone has been spotted operating near Japanese airspace.
According to the Joint Staff Office of Japan’s Ministry of Defense, the drone, known as the Tengden TB-001, is a long-endurance, medium-altitude vehicle designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and attack missions. This particular model is equipped with enhanced capabilities, including an additional tail engine, increasing its maximum takeoff weight to 2,800 kg and its payload capacity to 1,500 kg.
The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighter jets to intercept the drone as it navigated between the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea. This incident occurred near Okinawa and Amami Oshima islands, regions that host significant military installations, including the U.S. Air Force’s Kadena Air Base and various air defense systems like Patriot missile batteries.
On June 4, 2024, a Chinese military reconnaissance/attack drone (TB-001) was scrambled by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
Interesting is the registration, which looks like “JP-1052”?
Any idea what service operates it?https://t.co/Y3eb4JBlXx pic.twitter.com/8tHwsEqURv
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) June 4, 2024
Analysts speculate that the presence of the TB-001 drone could be a countermeasure to U.S. aircraft carrier activities in the region. The USS Ronald Reagan, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, has been operating in the Philippine Sea and Western Pacific waters, just outside the Miyako Strait, since late May. This strategic area is crucial for U.S. and Japanese military operations aimed at countering Chinese influence and ensuring regional stability.
This recent sighting follows another incident on May 27, when Japan detected a Chinese WL-10 armed reconnaissance drone over the East China Sea. Both drones were intercepted by Japanese F-15 fighter jets within Japan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), but not within its sovereign airspace.
The TB-001, also known as the “Twin-tailed Scorpion,” was first introduced in 2017 and boasts an operational range of 3,700 miles. With a wingspan of 65 feet, it is capable of carrying smart bombs and missiles, making it a versatile asset for long-range reconnaissance and precision strikes.
China’s Defense Ministry has not commented on the recent mission, and the specific branch of the PLA operating the drone remains unclear. However, Beijing-based military experts have downplayed the incident, suggesting that the drones likely conducted routine training exercises and patrols near China’s borders.
Japan has consistently monitored Chinese military movements in its surrounding airspace, logging multiple sightings of PLA drones over the past few years. These interceptions are part of Japan’s broader strategy to maintain vigilance over its air defense identification zone and deter any potential threats from neighboring countries.
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