China masks South China Sea drone flights in likely Taiwan drill
China has been flying a large military drone over the South China Sea while broadcasting false electronic signals that make it appear to be other aircraft, including a Belarusian cargo jet and a British Typhoon fighter, according to flight data reviewed by analysts. Military attaches and security experts say at least 23 such flights have been recorded since August under the call sign YILO4200, linked to a Wing Loong 2 drone flying from Qionghai Boao airport on Hainan island. The drone’s transponder repeatedly used registration codes belonging to genuine foreign aircraft, a tactic they believe is a real time test of deception methods that could be used in a conflict over Taiwan. The flights trace long, looping routes over sensitive areas of the South China Sea, including waters near Chinese submarine bases, the Philippines, Vietnam and towards the Bashi Channel […]
