The China - Japan Drone Race Escalates As Tensions Rise

Flying Towards War? Drone Race Signals Escalation In Sino-Japanese Tensions -- RT

The development and acquisition of drones has become crucial to the ever-expanding arms race between China and Japan, as tensions over disputed islands in the East China Sea could soon reach boiling point.

Weaknesses in Japan’s surveillance capability and the ongoing territorial dispute over the Senkaku islands, known as the Diaoyu in China, have spurred Tokyo to purchase an advanced drone model from the US.

Japan’s vulnerability was highlighted late last year when Japanese radar failed to detect a low-flying Chinese aircraft passing over the group of disputed islands.

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Update: Japan and China step up drone race as tension builds over disputed islands -- The Guardian

My Comment: Both countries are weak when it comes to having surveillance assets in the disputed territories. Drones would solve this .... hence the race.