Chinese Drones Buzz Vietnam’s Airspace Amid Regional Tensions

Vietnam’s airspace has been breached twice recently by Chinese drones, according to experts. These incursions are believed to be a response to growing cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines in the South China Sea region, as reported by Voice of America.

Drone Incursions and Regional Cooperation

The Chinese WZ-10 surveillance drone reportedly entered Vietnam’s airspace twice in close succession. Roni Sontani, founder of Indonesia-based Airspace Review, stated that these flights were “in response to joint exercises with the Philippines.”

These incursions coincided with significant diplomatic and military events:

1. The first occurred on August 2, during joint coast guard training exercises between Vietnam and the Philippines.
2. The second happened on Wednesday, as the Philippines naval commander met with his counterpart in Hanoi.

Technical Details of the Flights

According to the Belgium-based Army Recognition group, the drone identified as a Wing Loong-10 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV):

• Took off from China’s Hainan Island
• Entered Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
• Flew along the coastline for approximately 497 miles (800 kilometers)
• Turned back near Phan Rang province

Data from Flightradar24 suggested it was the same drone on both flights.

Regional Tensions and Cooperation

The drone flights come amid increasing cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines, two nations with competing claims in the South China Sea. On Friday, August 5, 2024, the coast guards of both countries conducted their first joint drills in Manila Bay.

Ha Hoang Hop, president of VietKnow think tank in Hanoi, commented on the significance of these drills:

“The drill presents their mutual support and their readiness [for] conducting talks and finding ways to further cooperate to help gain common interests in solving the South China Sea issues.”

China’s Response and Regional Implications

When asked about the August 2 drone flight, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated she had no information and referred inquiries to “competent authorities.”

Vu Duc Khanh, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, warned that China might escalate its tactics:

“No one is fooled by Beijing’s expansionist objectives. Today, it may be drones, but tomorrow, it may be the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that intervenes.”

DroneXL’s Take

The use of drones for surveillance in contested airspace highlights the growing importance of unmanned aerial vehicles in international disputes. This incident underscores the need for clear international regulations regarding drone operations in sensitive areas.

At DroneXL, we’ve been closely following developments in drone technology and its implications for global security. The use of advanced UAVs like the Wing Loong-10 in such sensitive operations demonstrates the rapid evolution of drone capabilities and their increasing role in geopolitical tensions.

As drone technology continues to advance, it’s crucial for nations to establish clear protocols for drone operations in international airspace to prevent escalation of conflicts and ensure regional stability.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.