hina deploys its advanced spy drone with 310-mile radar rangeChina has deployed its most advanced long-range surveillance drone, the WZ-9 Divine Eagle, to the South China Sea.This move significantly boosts China’s reconnaissance capabilities in the region.Satellite imagery confirmed the drone’s presence at Ledong Air Base on Hainan Island, a key strategic location.The deployment of the WZ-9 represents a major challenge to the US air superiority, as the aircraft is specifically designed to track and counter stealth technology.The deployment of the WZ-9 Divne Eagle aligns with China’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy, aimed at enhancing control over the South China Sea.Strategic implications of the WZ-9 deploymentBy operating from Hainan Island, these drones can provide persistent surveillance over vast maritime areas, monitoring military movements and intelligence activities in the Taiwan Strait, the Pacific, and disputed regions along China’s borders.The WZ-9’s sophisticated radar system tracks advanced stealth aircraft like the US F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, and the upcoming B-21 bomber.Unlike conventional reconnaissance drones, the Divine Eagle is equipped with intelligence-gathering and counter-stealth capabilities, making it a formidable force multiplier for China’s military.Its ability to monitor US carrier strike groups and allied warships in real time enhances Beijing’s ability to respond quickly to regional developments.Additionally, the presence of the WZ-9 at Ledong Air Base places it near other strategic military installations, such as Yulin Naval Base, which houses China’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.Specifications of the WZ-9 Divine EagleThe WZ-9 Divine Eagle is a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) drone designed for extensive surveillance operations. Its key specifications includeWingspan: Measuring approximately 147 feet (45 meters), the high-aspect-ratio wings provide superior lift and endurance, allowing for prolonged flight times.Length: With an overall length of just under 50 feet (15 meters), the aircraft maintains a compact yet efficient design for optimized aerodynamics.Altitude: The drone is capable of operating at extreme altitudes of up to 82,000 feet (25,000 meters), ensuring a broad surveillance reach beyond the range of most conventional air defenses.