China Expands Drone Operations at Scarborough Shoal as Maritime Tensions Persist

China Expands Drone Operations at Scarborough Shoal as Maritime Tensions Persist

  • February 19, 2026

China’s coast guard has offered an unusual glimpse into how unmanned systems are being integrated into frontline maritime operations at Scarborough Shoal, a disputed reef in the South China Sea. Rather than emerging from a formal policy document, the details surfaced through official

Chinese Coastguard Expands Drone Operations Near Scarborough Shoal

Chinese Coastguard Expands Drone Operations Near Scarborough Shoal

  • February 18, 2026

China’s coastguard has offered a rare public look at its growing reliance on aerial drones during patrol and training missions near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed reef in the South China Sea. A Lunar New Year social media post showcasing officers stationed aboard the