The US MQ-9 Reaper drone can perform both reconnaissance and strike missions, with an increasing number of American allies and partners acquiring them. For China, the drone's high altitude of up to 15,240 metres, long endurance, and stealth capabilities pose a significant threat. This allows the US military to deploy MQ-9s far from mainland China and gradually penetrate its airspace periphery for reconnaissance and target designation.
Growing network of American MQ-9 drones challenges China
The MQ-9 Reaper can carry out both reconnaissance and strike missions. An increasing number of US allies and partners are buying them.
For China, the drone’s biggest threat is its high maximum altitude of up to 15,240 metres (50,000 feet), its long endurance and stealth capabilities, according to an analysis by Chinese military tech magazine Ordnance Industry Science Technology.
“This means the US military can deploy MQ-9s far from mainland China and gradually penetrate Chinese airspace or operate near its periphery to conduct reconnaissance and target designation missions,” the magazine said.
In January, a variant of the Reaper – the MQ-9B SeaGuardian – was equipped with a system to dispense sonobuoys that doubles the number it can carry, according to its manufacturer, General Atomics. The sonar devices are dropped from aircraft or ships and used to track submarines.
Keywords include: Basa Air Base, People's Liberation Army, China, Japan, Philippines, Afghanistan, South China Sea, Okinawa, Indo-Pacific, Kunsan Air Base, Beijing, MQ-9, India, Kadena Air Base, East China Sea.
The article was published on 2026-02-16 by the South China Morning Post.
