US confirms drone sale to South China Sea allies
The US has announced the sale of 34 ScanEagle drones to its allies in the South China Sea, in a move that could increase its intelligence gathering capabilities amid growing tensions with China. The drones are unarmed, but are best known for their surveillance capabilities, which will enable US allies to better monitor – and potentially curb – China’s influence in the region. The Pentagon
At the Shangri-La Dialogue, a regional defence summit in Singapore, acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan
Under the Trump administration, the US has grown its naval presence in the South China Sea by conducting an increasing number of freedom of navigation exercises
On June 2, China’s Defence Minister, Wei Fenghe, delivered
Under the Trump administration, the US has grown its naval presence in the region by conducting an increasing number of
The recent drone deal is likely to escalate tensions between the two superpowers. China will almost certainly perceive any reconnaissance missions conducted by ScanEagle drones as a hostile action against its territory and could retaliate in turn. As the number of provocative vessels in the South China Sea increases, so too does the threat to peace in the region. With more opposing aircraft and warships coming into close contact, there is a heightened risk that one day a misunderstanding could develop, igniting a more serious conflict.
