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More than 11 meters long, 2 meters high, super fast – and soon a huge problem for Taiwan? An assessment by the US military leaked these days and published by the Washington Post is likely to cause an uproar among the island nation’s military and politicians. It concerns the Chinese WZ-8 reconnaissance drones.
A leaked document from the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency contains satellite images from August 9, 2022. They show two of the drones at an air base in eastern China, about 560 kilometers from Shanghai.
The aircraft would have at least three times the speed of sound and be able to operate from a high altitude, dramatically boosting China’s ability to conduct surveillance operations. In addition, missile attacks must also be possible with the alleged super drones.
The files were leaked by US intelligence agent Jack Teixeira (21) on Discord, a group chat application popular with gamers. However, their authenticity has not been clarified beyond doubt.
WZ-8 rocket propelled drones?
In 2019, the WZ-8 drones were presented to the public. Two of the black planes had appeared in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square during celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. At the time, only a few experts considered the flying machines to be functional.
The document that has now been leaked does not specify how the drones will be powered. However, engine characteristics would be “associated with rocket fuel”.
Does China want to conquer Taiwan in 2027?
According to the Washington Post, the US military believes the footage is “almost certainly” from the Chinese military’s unmanned aerial vehicle. The machines are under the control of the branch of the Chinese military responsible for enforcing Chinese claims of sovereignty over Taiwan. According to the leak, the WZ-8 drones could also spy on western South Korea, including the capital Seoul, in the future.
China’s intensified military aggression against Taiwan in recent months has fueled fears of an invasion by the Middle Kingdom. CIA chief William J. Burns (67) assumes that Chinese leader Xi Jinping (69) wants to conquer Taiwan by 2027. (nad)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
