China Spotting movements of India; even the delivery of Brahmos to Philippines

A Chinese military drone, identified as the WZ-7 Soaring Dragon, was observed flying close to the Philippines, coinciding with preparations for the delivery of Indian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. This occurrence, reported by The Eurasian Times, drew attention as tensions between China and the Philippines, which have been steadily escalating over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, reached a new high. The Philippines’ acquisition of the BrahMos missiles, seen as a strategic move to enhance defense capabilities, is a clear indication of the gravity of the situation.

The drone sighting aligns with the arrival of the BrahMos missiles in Manila on April 19, procured under the ‘Horizon 2’ Priority Projects. This development, coupled with the upcoming ‘Balikatan 2024′ drills with the US, a series of joint military exercises aimed at enhancing the interoperability of the two countries’ armed forces, underscores regional dynamics. The WZ-7 drone, operated by the Chinese PLA Air Force and Navy, boasts impressive capabilities, resembling previous instances near Taiwan amid heightened tensions. As military exercises, including target ship sinking and island reclamation, loom, China’s concerns are compounded by the deployment of the new Typhon ground-based missile system by the US on Luzon Island in the Philippines.

[Image Source: geekweek]