Overview
- A Mitchell Institute study using satellite images found rows of J-6W fighter drones at five air bases in Fujian and one in Guangdong near the Taiwan Strait.
- Author J. Michael Dahm estimates China has converted more than 500 J-6s, with about 200 or more positioned at those coastal airfields for quick use.
- Dahm and a senior Taiwan security official say the jets-turned-drones would fly into targets in the first hours of a fight to overwhelm defenses and burn through interceptors.
- Taiwan told parliament it will move fast to buy new counter-drone systems because firing costly missiles at low-cost drones is not sustainable.
- Experts note the forward bases could be struck if war breaks out, yet massed J-6Ws would still complicate defense when paired with PLA missiles, fighters and other drones.