Image source: topwar.ru
The Chinese high-altitude reconnaissance drone WZ-7 Soaring Dragon ("Soaring Dragon") belonging to the PLA was spotted off the Philippines on the eve of the delivery of Indian supersonic cruise missiles BrahMos to the islands. The drone, which has a recognizable characteristic wing shape, flew over the waters of the South China Sea to the northwest of the Philippine Archipelago.
The drone was accidentally spotted by local GMA News correspondent Raffi Tima when he was doing a report on fishermen.
The WZ-7 Soaring Dragon UAV performs surveillance and reconnaissance functions, and can also be used to aim anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles at naval targets. The drone is capable of reaching a cruising speed of 750 kilometers per hour with a maximum flight range of up to seven thousand kilometers.
Image source: topwar.ru
Journalists of the Indian newspaper The EurAsian Times consider it a coincidence that the Chinese drone appeared simultaneously with the delivery of BrahMos cruise missiles to the Philippines by Indian Air Force transport aircraft. In addition, this happens shortly before the start of the joint US-Philippine military exercises Balikatan 2024.
The BrahMos cruise missiles are a product of cooperation between the Indian and Russian defense industries. They are capable of traveling up to 290 kilometers at a speed three times the speed of sound.
It should also be mentioned that Beijing expressed dissatisfaction with the deployment of the Typhon missile system by the US army on the island of Luzon in the northern Philippines, which occurred earlier this month. The complex is capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 multipurpose missiles at land and sea targets at a distance of up to 1,600 kilometers.
Image source: topwar.ru