Advertisement
US to deploy long-range drones near Taiwan, Japan’s defence minister confirms
The MQ-4C Triton surveillance drones are capable of operating for over 24 hours straight and covering a range of 13,700km
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
5
The US military will deploy long-range surveillance drones in the Japanese region of Okinawa near Taiwan, Tokyo’s defence minister has confirmed.
The MQ-4C Triton drones would boost the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the US-Japan defence alliance, Gen Nakatani said.
“The security environment surrounding our country is becoming increasingly severe,” Nakatani told reporters on Tuesday.
He said several Tritons would arrive at the US Kadena Air Base on Okinawa’s main island in the coming weeks “to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance activities around Japan”.
Beijing has ramped up pressure on Taiwan in recent years and held military drills that some analysts see as preludes to a possible future takeover of the self-ruled island. Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary.
Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.
Advertisement