## China Deploys Retired Fighter Jets as Kamikaze Drones Near Taiwan Strait, Report Warns
China has reportedly stationed retired fighter jets, converted into unmanned kamikaze drones, at military bases near the Taiwan Strait. According to a report citing a former U.S. naval intelligence officer, these aircraft are intended to be deployed in the opening phase of a potential assault on Taiwan, serving as a first-wave saturation weapon against key targets.

The conversion of older J-6 and J-7 fighter jets into expendable drones represents a significant and cost-effective escalation in China's military pressure on Taiwan. This strategy leverages existing, obsolete airframes to overwhelm air defenses and critical infrastructure at the outset of a conflict. The positioning of these assets at forward bases directly opposite Taiwan underscores their operational role in a potential contingency plan, shifting the tactical calculus in the Strait.

This development signals a concrete step in China's preparation for high-intensity conflict scenarios, adding a new layer of asymmetric threat to Taiwan's defense planning. It places immediate pressure on Taiwanese and U.S. intelligence assessments, forcing a reevaluation of the PLA's opening strike capabilities and the timeline for any potential escalation. The move intensifies the militarization of the Taiwan Strait and raises the risk of miscalculation during periods of heightened tension.
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- **Source**: Japan Times
- **Sector**: The Network
- **Tags**: Taiwan Strait, Military Drone, Asymmetric Warfare, PLA, US Intelligence
- **Credibility**: unverified
- **Published**: 2026-03-29 02:56:50
- **ID**: 39481
- **URL**: https://whisperx.ai/en/intel/39481