China going all-in on drone-led seizure of Taiwan

China is incorporating more advanced stealth drones, drone carriers and novel unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) into its military mix, signaling a shift to a drone-focused naval strategy for a potential Taiwan conflict against the US.

This month, The War Zone reported that recent satellite imagery has revealed mockups of China’s stealthy GJ-11 Sharp Sword unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) at a site on Changxing Island in Shanghai, indicating potential integration into the People’s Liberation Army-Navy’s (PLA-N) future air wings.

The mockups, sited near the construction of the Type 076 amphibious warship, suggest preparations for carrier and amphibious assault ship operations, The War Zone report said.

The report notes that the GJ-11, known for its stealth capabilities, could significantly enhance China’s naval aviation, particularly with the PLA-N’s newest carriers and big deck amphibious assault ships. It says the site may serve as a testing and training ground for deck handling and maneuvering of the UCAVs.

The War Zone notes the significance of the GJ-11 drone’s proximity to China’s naval shipyards, highlighting its importance in China’s military expansion, particularly regarding carrier-based variants and uncrewed aircraft.

The report mentions that the appearance of the GJ-11 mockups at the Changxing Island site, while not definitively linked to naval ambitions, strongly indicates China’s commitment to advancing its carrier and amphibious assault ship capabilities with stealthy jet-powered drones.

Furthermore, Asia Times noted this month that China’s Type 076 amphibious assault ship could serve as a drone carrier in a potential Taiwan conflict as it can accommodate UCAVs and other fixed-wing drones carrying