Chinese WZ-7 drone spotted near the Philippines ahead of delivery of Indian BrahMos missiles to the islands

A Chinese WZ-7 Soaring Dragon high-altitude reconnaissance drone belonging to the PLA was spotted near the Philippines on the eve of the delivery of Indian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the islands. The drone, which has a recognizable characteristic wing shape, was flying over the South China Sea northwest of the Philippine archipelago.

The drone was accidentally spotted by local GMA News reporter Raffi Tima while reporting on the fishermen.

The WZ-7 Soaring Dragon UAV performs surveillance and reconnaissance functions, and can also be used to guide anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles at sea targets. The drone is capable of a cruising speed of 750 kilometers per hour with a maximum flight range of up to seven thousand kilometers.

Journalists from the Indian newspaper The EurAsian Times consider it no coincidence that the Chinese drone appeared simultaneously with the delivery of BrahMos cruise missiles to the Philippines by Indian Air Force transport aircraft. Moreover, this happens shortly before the start of the joint US-Philippine military exercise Balikatan 2024.

BrahMos cruise missiles are a collaboration between Indian and Russian defense industries. They are capable of traveling up to 290 kilometers at a speed three times the speed of sound.

It is also worth mentioning that Beijing has expressed dissatisfaction with the US Army's deployment of the Typhon missile system to Luzon in the northern Philippines earlier this month. The complex is capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 multi-purpose missiles at ground and sea targets at a distance of up to 1600 kilometers.

Comments

[Doccor18]

The anaconda's rings squeeze, the dragon feels evil...

[Aerodrome]

Chinese WZ-7 drone spotted near the Philippines ahead of delivery of Indian BrahMos missiles to the islands

Here’s a little “awkwardness” in relations with China and India...our hands are involved in the “brahmos”, and China doesn’t favor India, and we help India make weapons, that’s bullshit....

[Doccor18]

Here's a little "awkwardness" in relations with China and India...

This “small” awkwardness can turn into a big problem when some Philippine ruler believes in his “all-powerful” ally and directs the main thruster towards the Chinese ship...

[Enceladus]

And what does our half Brahmos have to do with this in the title picture? Is there something that doesn’t really look like a drone or, as we’ve known for a long time, should it be carefully processed with a file after assembly?

[fiv]

Which erudite correspondent noticed the drone, identified its type and affiliation. Did you make a report about fishing, I wonder?
Do Filipinos care who they lie under? States or China - no matter what shirt you wear, your husband will still do his job.

[solar]

deployment by the US Army on the island of Luzon in the northern Philippines of the Typhon missile system

In the photo there is a completely different complex - Bendix RIM-50 Typhon LR (Bendix RIM-50 Typhon Long Range) - this is an American air defense system from the late 50s, early 60s. Has nothing in common with the modern Typhon missile system.

[sodium20]

India is playing with fire. India is dancing to the tunes of USA & Israel.

(A) India supplied Hermes - 900 drones to Israel, that drone is used in Gaza against Palestinians.
(B) India supplied Brahmos cruise missiles to Phillipines.
(C) India planning to supply Brahmos and Akash missiles to Armenia.

The present leader Modi is dancing to the tunes of USA & Israel. Modi is corrupt. To please his masters in US, he is dancing like hell. He is playing a double game. Crude oil purchased at a very low rate, from Russia is refined in India and sold at a heavy price in European countries. That is Modi is exploiting the Russia - Ukraine conflict.

[Rockerman]

The policy of our “effective managers” may backfire on both ours and yours. We are no longer a reliable partner for India, and the Chinese may lose their patience in dealing with such twirlers.

[Yuri L]

Outside of the question about Brahmos. When will we have something like the WZ-7? Even in the plans nothing like this is visible (Altius, which must be expected by the year 2025 at best, is inferior to the long-flying WZ-7 in all respects) How an analogue of the WZ-7 (or even the simpler Altius, Helios-RLD) would make life a lot easier for us on the LBS. Remember that it simply necessarily appears over the Black Sea before any dirty trick? Many new types of weapons are being made, but the key, really important, defining ones (A-50 (100), radio reconnaissance satellites, the same Helios-RLD either wander around exhibitions for years, or are manufactured in completely insufficient quantities, and even are lost from radars with using the tricks of the Enemy (and he knows which pressure points to hit) So will we have something like that, or will we never wait? After all, not only China and the USA, but even Iran and S. Korea have such UAVs. And we, it turns out, are not even a match for them? It’s bitter...