China has stationed obsolete fighter jets converted into attack drones at six air bases close to the Taiwan Strait, according to a report by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

Satellite imagery indicates that these aircraft—believed to be modified J-6 fighters dating back to the 1960s are positioned across five bases in Fujian province and one in Guangdong.

From Cold War Jets to Modern Drones

The J-6, derived from the Soviet-era MiG-19, once formed a core part of China’s air force. Now, these ageing jets have been repurposed into drones, designated J-6W, with more than 500 reportedly converted.

Their weapons systems have been removed and replaced with automated flight controls and navigation technology, allowing them to function as strike platforms or training targets.

Strategy: Overwhelm Air Defences

According to J. Michael Dahm, China’s military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), may have deployed around 200 such drones near the strait.

He said these drones would likely be used in the early stages of a conflict, acting more like cruise missiles than traditional unmanned aerial vehicles.

“They will attack Taiwan, U.S. or allied targets in large numbers, effectively overwhelming air defences,” Dahm noted.

A senior Taiwanese security official said the aim would be to exhaust Taiwan’s air defence systems in an initial wave, forcing defenders to use costly missiles against relatively low-value targets.

Part of a Broader Military Build-Up

China already dominates the global commercial drone market and is investing heavily in military drone capabilities. These converted aircraft form part of a wider arsenal that includes advanced fighters, bombers, ballistic and cruise missiles, and modern UAV swarms.

Experts warn that a potential conflict scenario could involve simultaneous attacks from multiple systems fast and slow drones, missiles, and aircraft creating what analysts describe as an “air defence nightmare”.

Rising Tensions Over Taiwan

Taiwan remains a major flashpoint. Beijing views the island as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force, while Taiwan insists its future should be decided by its people.

Recent assessments by the US Intelligence Community suggest China is not currently planning an invasion by 2027, although earlier Pentagon reports indicated Beijing aims to be capable of such an operation by then.

Modern Warfare and Drone Evolution

Recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, have highlighted the growing importance of drones in modern warfare. These systems can be produced in large numbers, deployed rapidly, and replaced easily after losses.

China is also developing more advanced UAVs, including stealth drones designed to operate from aircraft carriers, while reportedly testing their use in deception and combat scenarios.

(with inputs from Reuters)