The "Han Kuang exercise" in Taiwan is set to begin in July, but before the event, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on the other side of the strait has already initiated its annual East China Sea exercise on June 14. According to information obtained by Taiwanese sources, the PLA conducted a test with unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and carried out sea and air surveillance during the drill. The Taiwanese military highlighted that the unmanned reconnaissance aircraft deployed by the PLA is unique, as it was modified from the retired J-6 fighter jets, giving it supersonic cruise reconnaissance capabilities.
Western media has long been interested in the new roles that the large fleet of retired J-6 and J-7 fighters could play in future conflicts. As part of the PLA's "new military revolution," combat theories and operational concepts continue to evolve, and some older weapons are being re-integrated into the battlefield with updated functions.
In this year’s East China Sea exercise, for the first time, the PLA deployed a modified J-6 unmanned reconnaissance aircraft. During the exercise, the drone came close to the island of Matsu. The Taiwanese military intelligence department noted that the unmanned aircraft was used to collect enemy radar parameters, raising concerns about potential leaks in data related to the "Tiangong" and "Patriot" missile systems.
Taiwan has not yet developed similar unmanned tactical reconnaissance aircraft, though the PLA's converted J-6 drones are still in the experimental phase. The military situation across the strait remains tense, but the immediate impact of these drones is not expected to be significant.
In April, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense reported that the PLA had stationed 36 retired J-6 fighters at abandoned airports since 2005. These modified drones may be used to deplete Taiwan’s air defense missiles or conduct supersonic reconnaissance of key military targets. This marks the first time the Taiwanese military has confirmed the PLA's use of J-6 drones in practical operations.
According to the Canadian "Hanhe Defense Review," the modification of the J-6 drone began around the mid-1990s. A photo of a remote-controlled J-6 UAV released by Chinese state media showed it equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks and a remote control signal receiver. It is likely that the original cockpit was removed to increase speed. The PLA refers to the remote-controlled J-6 as an "unmanned combat attack aircraft."
Taiwan's military reports suggest that the PLA Air Force is using the J-6 drone intensively and may establish a dedicated J-6 drone attack force. Influenced by Israeli drone concepts, the J-6 is also likely to be converted into an anti-radar attack aircraft. Military analyst Wang Changhe, who has experience flying Mirage 2000-5, F-16, and IDF fighters, stated that the J-6 can follow pre-set routes and altitudes, mimicking the flight path of a manned J-6. He called this tactic "sea tactics," emphasizing that the remote-controlled drone can consume Taiwan’s air defense missiles while retaining attack capabilities.
Chen Weihao, a radar warfare officer from the Taiwan Air Force, noted that radar systems can detect the altitude, speed, and takeoff location of aircraft. By analyzing voice transmissions, the Taiwan Air Force can identify aircraft types, especially distinguishing between the Su-27 and J-6 based on their speeds. Although the J-6 has rarely appeared near the Taiwan Strait recently, he stressed that radar systems have difficulty distinguishing between the J-6 and J-7 due to similar speeds and altitudes.
While the J-6 drone is considered experimental, the J-7 drone is expected to become the main force in future operations. According to Hanhe Defense Review editor Ping Kefu, if the PLA wants to fully integrate drones into its air strategy, the focus will shift to mass-producing J-7 drones. Some sources indicate that many retired J-7 fighters are being converted into anti-radar and reconnaissance drones. The J-7 drone retains its basic appearance, while the J-6 is more experimental. Given the larger range of the J-7, it is more suitable for harassment and deception missions, while the J-6 may be used for close-range ground attacks during landing operations.
The Hanhe Defense Review reported that the J-7 drone has completed its flight tests and is ready for deployment. The conversion process is quick, mainly involving the installation of an automatic remote control system. The J-7 drone designed for anti-radar attacks will include a passive radar signal receiver. Inspired by U.S. developments in unmanned warfare, the Chinese aviation industry is exploring the possibility of equipping J-7 drones with weapons. However, initially, the J-6 and J-7 will be used as attack drones.
With a range of 1,390 km and a cruising speed of 900 km/h, the J-6 can cover vast distances. The J-7, with a maximum range of 1,480 km and a cruising speed of 970 km/h, offers even greater reach. If used as expendable drones, the J-7 could harass U.S. carrier battle groups, consuming resources and affecting the tracking capabilities of U.S. radars. Additionally, U.S. bases in Japan, particularly radar units, would face a significant threat due to the large number of J-6 and J-7 drones.
Experts like Li Wenzheng and Li Yidong from China’s aerospace sector have discussed the repurposing of retired J-5 and J-6 fighters into drones. While the concept is not new, recent developments show ongoing progress. Li Yidong mentioned that many retired J-5 and J-6 aircraft are already being used as target drones, and some may be converted into attack drones. Li Wenzheng added that several aircraft are currently being converted, with potential applications in both targeting and attack roles.
Why do Western and Taiwanese analysts closely monitor the PLA's drone conversions? According to experts like Pinkov, the Taiwan Strait is entering a new era of drone operations. The J-6 and J-7 drones serve as unmanned attack aircraft, potentially playing a major role in the balance of air power in the region in the coming years.
Firstly, as remote-controlled drones, they can overwhelm the surveillance capabilities of the Taiwanese AWACS and radar systems, reducing their ability to track multiple targets. For example, the E-2T can track over 40 targets simultaneously, but the PLA's use of numerous J-6 and J-7 drones could reduce its effectiveness against multiple batches of aircraft.
Secondly, the J-6 and J-7 drones may become key tools in future unmanned warfare. Further upgrades could allow them to carry guided weapons, though this capability is still under development.
Thirdly, the J-6 and J-7 drones can act as "suicide weapons," attacking critical military facilities such as airports and consuming Taiwan’s air defense ammunition.
Lastly, the low cost and high numbers of J-6 and J-7 drones make them effective for continuous harassment, causing psychological stress on the Taiwanese Air Force and forcing constant engagement.
As the PLA develops a drone aircraft carrier strategy, it aims to counter the U.S. carrier battle group through asymmetric means. Drone-based anti-carrier tactics are being explored, with the goal of breaking through multiple layers of defense, including surface ships, submarines, and air defenses. Drones offer advantages in cost, concealment, and range, making them ideal for reconnaissance, attack, and interference operations. During conflict, the PLA can deploy drones alongside manned aircraft to confuse enemy defenses, allowing real aircraft to strike effectively. This approach not only disrupts the enemy’s command and control systems but also conserves resources and enhances the effectiveness of missile strikes.
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