China is preparing to deploy its cutting-edge WZ-8 high-altitude surveillance drone. This is the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s top-secret document that allegedly served as the basis for the Washington Post‘s disclosure.
If the claims are accurate, Chinese surveillance capabilities would be significantly enhanced. The drones are a state-of-the-art surveillance system that could aid China in gathering real-time mapping data to formulate strategies or launch missile attacks in the event of a future conflict.
Satellite imagery from August 9 is also included, showing two WZ-8 rocket-powered reconnaissance drones at an air base in eastern China, roughly 350 miles inland from Shanghai. According to the report, the base is now “almost certainly” home to China’s first unmanned aerial vehicle unit, whose mission is to support Beijing’s sovereignty claims over Taiwan.
These documents also suggest that the Chinese military is working on technology that could allow it to concentrate American warships and military installations in the region, including those located near Taiwan.
