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China’s WZ-7 drone, bomber team up for drill as ‘Ukraine lesson learned’

CCTV airs first official footage of WZ-7 and bomber jet taking part in joint air attack during drills at undisclosed location

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The WZ-7 Soaring Dragon high-altitude reconnaissance drone is one of China’s largest such aircraft and can be used for border reconnaissance and maritime patrol missions. Photo: CCTV

The Chinese military has showcased reconnaissance WZ-7 drones and crewed fighter jets working together in a video highlighting the country’s growing aerial scouting capacity.

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According to a retired People’s Liberation Army colonel, such coordination will improve strike capability against fast-moving targets, which is “a lesson that China has learned from the Ukraine war”.

The video is the first official footage of its kind and was aired on Sunday by state broadcaster CCTV.

The WZ-7 was seen carrying out oceanic reconnaissance missions, with a Xian H-6 jet bomber later launching anti-ship missiles based on the location data transmitted by the drone.

A large naval fleet with multiple vessels and some fighter jets – including electronic-warfare aircraft and the Shenyang J-16 multiple-role strike fighter – was also seen in the exercise footage.
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The exact location and time of the drills were not given.

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