China is Turning Retired Shenyangs into Drones

Added: 2026-05-07

[00:00:00]China may have just revealed one of the weapons it plans to use to attack and take over Taiwan. The People's Republic has converted its most distinguished Cold War era fighter jet, the Shen Yang J6, into a supersonic autonomous drone, and it may be planning to use it in one of the world's most notorious territorial disputes. The J6 was initially retired after nearly 70 years of service, but it officially made a return at a Chinese air show in 2025.

[00:00:25]The unveiling of the upgraded J6W confirmed long-standing suspicions.

[00:00:30]China has been systematically modernizing its cold war era hardware. Unlike its predecessor, the J6W is designed for one-way kamicazi style missions. Beijing has deployed hundreds of these cost-effective UAVs to bases within operational range of Taiwan. For decades, security experts have theorized that the Chinese Communist Party is planning to invade Taiwan in what would be the largest military operation in recent history, exceeding the scale of Russia's attack, even on Ukraine. Although China maintains a vast arsenal and has the world's largest military, it has not engaged in large-scale combat for decades. The return of the J6W may just hint at its battle strategy to deploy thousands of crafts to overwhelm and degrade Taiwan's defenses. But is this really the rationale behind China's decision to upgrade its old aircraft fleet? And why did Beijing choose to reveal this program now after decades of running it secretly?

[00:01:30]Now to understand why the revival of the J6 is such an important milestone, we need to look back at its origins. The Shenyang was inspired by the Soviet Mikan Gorovich or the MiG19. This was a supersonic fighter jet developed in the 1950s and codenamed farmer by NATO. This aircraft wasn't just fast and aggressive. It was designed to break the sound barrier in level flight. The MIG19 had a relatively short service life in the USSR. It was mainly used for interception and border patrol duties rather than in combat. However, China valued the aircraft's agility, cannon armament, and turning performance. In 1958, as part of the SinoS Soviet Alliance, Moscow transferred all production rights of the Mi19 to Beijing. And this is where our story really kicks off. China began manufacturing its version of the MiG19, which it called the Shenyang J6. At around the time Maadong's government launched the Great Leap Forward, it produced these fighter jets at an aggressive rate, turning out thousands, more than the Soviets ever did. From the 1960s to the 80s, Chinese engineers produced over 3,000 Shenyang J6 jets, and they soon formed the backbone of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force. The J6 improved on the MIG19 with notable changes that revolutionized the aircraft and made it popular. Starting with the engine, the Chinese produced the Leeing Walpen 6 or WB6 engine by reverse engineering the two Tammansky R9 turbo jet engines used by the Mig 19.

[00:02:57]The Soviet MIG19 twin engine, nicknamed Widowmaker, was known to be unreliable and prone to exploding, killing many pilots, hence its name, the Widowmaker, who would fly in that. Initially, the Chinese alternative was not any better.

[00:03:11]It took years for Chinese engineers to improve and perfect their WP6 engines.

[00:03:15]Each WP6 engine generates 29.42 kilotons of dry thrust and about 36.78 kontons with afterburner activation. The Mig 19 originally featured NR30 30mm cannons, but Beijing replaced them with indigenous type 23 to 23 mm auto cannons, offering better firepower and integration with Chinese-made processes and ammunition. Other J6 variants were made with two type 232 wing cannons and a type 31 cannon in the nose, firing at 850 rounds a minute. Chinese engineers had to overhaul the Mid19's radar system without Russia's technical support.

[00:03:48]Relations between the two countries had somewhat soured at that point. This forced China to develop its own airborne radar systems from scratch and it eventually integrated one of its first domestically designed airborne radar systems into the J6. Besides these improvements, Beijing retains the core of the Soviet design and performance capabilities. The J6 features the same MIG 19 airframe design that includes its unique swept wings with large boundary layer fences, a single vertical tail fin, dual engines, and a distinct nosemounted air intake. The specs of the Shenyang J6 were state-of-the-art in the 70s and 80s. Variants of the J6, such as the F6, which China designed for export, became a regular fixture in many conflicts of the era. The Vietnam War, the IndoPakistani war, the war of attrition, as well as regional disputes in Egypt and the China Taiwan border. By the 1990s, the J6's capabilities were outdated, rendering it obsolete as a frontline fighter. China had already begun producing newer aircraft such as the J7 and J8 which started to replace the J6. The transition accelerated when China acquired the Su27 from Russia. As China's first true fourth generation fighter, the Su27 demonstrated the significant gap between modern standards and the somewhat aging J6. All these factors led to the decline of one of China's most famous aircraft. By the late '90s, the Chinese Communist Party started the large-scale retirement of the J6s. Many were removed for active service and flown into museums and storage facilities. However, instead of turning them into scrap, Chinese authorities quietly decided to repurpose these jets into modern drones.

[00:05:31]All right, so now you know the history of the Shenyang jet. So, how did China turn this obsolete craft into the vanguard of next generation warfare? For decades, Western security researchers reported suspicious activities involving China's grounded J6 fleets, but they couldn't pinpoint Beijing's exact plans.

[00:05:47]Recent satellite images show a concentration of aircraft resembling J6's assembling near the Taiwan Strait.

[00:05:53]This was followed by reports that China had repurposed these jets into drones in preparation for war with Taiwan. It was at the Changun Air Show in northeast China in 2025 that the veil of secrecy was finally lifted. A jet that still looked like the J6 emerged, but it was completely different in every other way.

[00:06:11]The plane, dubbed the J6W drone, retains the same basic swept wings and twin engine layout as its predecessor, but it features numerous changes. Most notably, the original J6 was designed for air-to-air combat and interception. The J6W is designed for expendable kamicazi like missions. One of the first noticeable differences in the J6W drone is its cockpit. All pilot interface equipment, including controls, canopy and ejection seats, has been removed. In its place, an autonomous flight control system, autopilot, and terrain matching navigation technology. The J6W also features advanced communications technology. Analysts believe data link equipment may have also been added to its body to enable a drone to easily receive and transmit data. Another notable change to the J6W is the removal of the three 30 mm cannons that made the J6 threatening. Chinese engineers freed up weight and volume by removing these cannons, which together weigh about 197 kilos. This obviously makes the drone lighter and therefore faster. China upgraded the J6's original radar from the 1950s, too. They replaced it with a modern autopilot system that uses terrain matching navigation technology, comparing the flight path against detailed digital maps. This allows the J6W to fly pre-programmed lowaltitude routes while hugging the terrain to avoid radar detection. and it still maintains the J6's MAC 1.3 supersonic capability. The Chinese Communist Party even improved the J6W's payload capacity by adding wing pylons. This increased the load to about 450 kilos of bombs.

[00:07:40]With these upgrades, the J6W can carry a range of weapons, older Chinese air-to-air missiles like the PL9 and PL5, runway cratering bombs, and unguided rockets. Converted from a gunfighter to a bomb carrier, the J6W can even carry anti-ship missiles.

[00:07:55]Although the world only discovered the J6W in 2025, the drone has been operational for decades. According to China's Ministry of National Defense, the J6 UAV made its first successful flight as far back as 1995.

[00:08:14]Now, this is where all of this becomes somewhat worrying. You see, according to satellite imagery confirmed by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies in March 2026, China has deployed over 200 J6W drones to six bases near the Taiwan Strait. Five in Fujian Province and one in Guandong. What's alarming is that these Chinese bases are directly facing Taiwan across the straight and they are well within the J6W's range.

[00:08:40]The Taiwan Strait's about 180 km wide at its narrowest point. The J6W has an operational range of 700 km. That means China can hit Taiwan in under 10 minutes with the J6W launched from any of its bases. Japan's National Institute for Defense Studies recently confirmed that a fleet of J6W drones along with modern J16 multiroll fighters has been assembled at several Chinese bases facing Taiwan. According to Japan, these Chinese bases are preparing for an attack and they've even begun improving their infrastructure. China is reportedly expanding aprons, duplicating runways, and constructing hardened shelters, all consistent with high volume air power and possible preparations for an attack. For years, there have been reports about the Chinese Communist Party's plans to take over Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory. Although Taiwan insists on its sovereignty, China may still go ahead and attack it. According to the annual threat assessment by American intelligence agencies, China expects to be able to fight and win a war on Taiwan by the end of 2027. However, the Pentagon recently changed the tune of its assessment. It now believes that China is not currently planning to invade Taiwan in 2027. Some believe the invasion may have been postponed for a few years. In the words of the Council on Foreign Relations, quote, others believe 2049 is a critical date since it will mark the PRC's centennial. and she has emphasized that unification with Taiwan is essential to achieving what he calls the Chinese dream which sees China's great power status restored. End quote. Now, in light of all of this, Taiwanese officials are on high alert.

[00:10:14]They believe China intends to attack and the first wave will most likely involve upgraded drones like the J6W. This has created an issue for Taiwan and its allies, particularly the United States.

[00:10:26]The island has recently announced major military reforms, including a $40 billion security package to improve its defenses. Taiwan's president Lie Ching Day and his party are known for their mantra, by preparing for war, we are avoiding war. They want to build a so-called T-dome air defense system that will function like Israel's Iron Dome.

[00:10:44]Taiwan also plans to use artificial intelligence and other high-tech defense technology in preparation for a Chinese attack. The US currently lacks munitions capable of reaching and penetrating China's integrated air defense system.

[00:10:55]That makes the J6W and other weapons in Chinese bases facing Taiwan unreachable.

[00:11:01]Washington has since accelerated the developments of cheaper interceptors costing thousands rather than millions.

[00:11:07]Programs like the Enduring Shield system are integrating high energy lasers and high power microwave systems into air defense strategies, all to counter swarms of drones and cruise missiles.

[00:11:17]The US is also developing loyal wingman drones, officially known as collaborative combat aircraft. These AI powered drones are designed to fight alongside man fighter jets like the F-35 and F-22. Prototypes Randeril and General Atomics are designed for surveillance to operate in high-risisk zones and to counter waves of drones like the J6W. Additionally, the US has been expanding the strike capabilities of its jets with new developments such as the Northrup Griman B-21 Raider. This is a subsonic stealth bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons. This next generation bomber can reach and penetrate China's air defense system which protects the J6W and other aircraft. The B-21 Radar is expected to enter service by 2027. Other countries such as Australia, South Korea, and other Indoacific regional partners have also started analyzing their defensive systems following the J6W launch. Japan has not only identified the strengths of the J6W fleet, it's also currently tracking and publicly reporting on the deployment of the J6W drones through its National Institute for Defense.

[00:12:22]So now for the big question, how exactly might China's deployment of its new weapon look like? Well, over the years, China's People's Liberation Army has conducted several simulations of how it could invade and conquer Taiwan. The most recent scenario, named the Justice Mission, was a two-day live fire exercise simulating China surrounding and taking over Taiwan. This drill spanned air, land, and sea, featuring over 130 aircraft and 28 ships. But although Beijing has many options for such an attack, experts believe it will most likely employ the Cicada strategy when it finally moves on Taiwan. The term cicada was coined by Daniel Rice, a non-resident fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

[00:13:01]According to Rice, quoting, "Like cicadas, which can remain underground for long periods of time, the PLAAF could choose to hide a large number of these UCAVs in underground shelters and have them surreptitiously emerge in mass for an attack on Taiwan." End quote.

[00:13:17]There are a few ways China could attack Taiwan using the Cicada strategy with the J6W and other unmanned drones. First blow, the swarm. Quoting Peter Leighton, a visiting fellow at Griffith University and former Pentagon employee, "There would be a lot of diverse things all coming at the same time. It would be an air defense nightmare." Beijing could unleash hundreds of J6W drones at Taiwan during the first minutes or hours of an attack. These drones would be launched simultaneously from multiple bases to weaken Taiwan's air defense systems. The J6WS are large fighter jets, so they can't be shot down with rifles or small high-speed interceptor drones like those Ukraine uses in its war with Russia. The ongoing war in the Middle East between the US, Israel, and Iran has shown the debilitating effects of asymmetric warfare in real time. Iran has successfully overwhelmed Israel's costly air defenses using hundreds of affordable missiles. Ukraine has also been forced to shoot down cheap Iranian charad drones that Russia uses. The Iranian Shawhead drone costs between 20 and $50,000, and Ukraine has had to shoot them down using air defense systems costing more than $2 million.

[00:14:24]Although the J6W and other unmanned aerial vehicles are not China's most threatening weapons, they can prove costly to its enemies. Taiwan's air defense system, which includes the Patriot Pack 3 missile that costs $4 million per interceptor, would have to shoot down droves of cheap Chinese J6W drones. In the events of such an attack, Taiwan could use the standard missile 2, which is currently used by US Navy ships in the region and costs over $3 million.

[00:14:49]The final option Taiwan currently has is the terminal high altitude area defense or THAAD interceptor, a missile defense system that tracks threats with radar and infrared sensors. Unlike conventional interceptors, THAAD uses kinetic energy to neutralize incoming missiles instead of an explosive warhead. Although effective, THAAD costs much more than other defense systems.

[00:15:09]Regardless of which option Taiwan chooses, shooting down Chinese J6W drones is likely going to be a costly operation. And it's clear that China is banking on this. A senior Taiwanese security official speaking anonymously to Reuters in March said, quote, "The main purpose of these drones is to wear down Taiwan's air defenses during the first wave of attacks. To prevent China from striking high-value targets, we will have to address the cost effectiveness of using expensive missiles to intercept them from a distance." end quote bleeding out.

[00:15:40]According to the Stimson Center, Taiwan currently operates about 400 Pac 3 interceptors in its missile defense system. The country plans to purchase 500 additional PAC 3 MSE interceptors to strengthen its defenses. If China unleashes more than a,000 J6W drones, and Taiwan shoots two interceptors per target, which is the norm, it would need between 1,400 and 2,000 interceptor missiles to engage the drone horde. The maths is sobering. both financially and militarily. A wave of cheap Chinese drones like the J6W could easily exhaust Taiwan's entire air defense infrastructure. Even if Taiwan intercepts 80% of these drones, over 200 would still get through and possibly drop a combined payload of over 40,000 kg of ordinance causing significant damage. The headshot.

[00:16:28]Now, if things go according to China's plan based on the cigada scenario, after weakening Taiwan's air defense systems and revealing their weapon stockpile, the goal would then be to move in for the headshot. At this point, China would deploy heavier weapons than the J6W, such as the J10, J16, and J20. China could also deploy its longrange cruise missiles, DF series ballistic missiles, and stealth drones such as the GJ11 Sharps Sword. These weapons are so powerful that researchers estimate that if the Chinese Communist Party decides to start with them, Taiwan's defenses would not be able to stop them. Now, imagine a salvo of three weapons shooting at empty launchers. It would be like killing a fly with a hammer. While China's potential Cicada war scenario poses significant offensive threats, the plan also has vulnerabilities that Taiwan could exploit. The first is that many of the locations where the J6W and other converted UAV fleets are currently stored are publicly known and could be struck by Taiwan, its allies before China unleashes them. Rice believes that Beijing may have anticipated the vulnerability of its drone fleets and quoting could use the smokec screen of military exercises around Taiwan to relocate aircraft to harden shelters, button them up and keep them concealed for a temporary period. Doing so could indicate that the PLAAF is attempting to amass forces on China's coastline which could surreptitiously emerge to engage in a conflict. End quote. Another possible flaw of the Cicada strategy is that the J6W requires a runway and cannot be launched from a ship or truck.

[00:17:59]The new drones would also require ground crews, fuel, and maintenance, all of which are vulnerabilities Taiwan and its allies could exploit. Despite the threats they pose in large numbers, China's repurposed drones, such as the J6W, are not as sophisticated as the newer defensive systems and could easily be neutralized by advanced countermeasures, all at Taiwan's expense.

[00:18:25]Okay, so what does all of this mean for China's warfareing capabilities and its growing influence on the world? The idea of converting older fighter jets into drones is not a new one. The US did it first. However, China has taken it to levels never seen before. While the US conversion programs focused on using upgraded aircraft for pilot training and target practice, China's updated fleets are designed for combat. Washington converted only a few F4 Phantom 2s and F-16 fighters in target drones. In comparison, Beijing has turned hundreds of J6s into J6W drones and keeps thousands of airframes in storage. The PLA likely has thousands of other converted Cold War jets as well. Costs another major difference between the US and Chinese conversion programs. It costs the US between 15 to $16 million to convert its old aircraft into drones.

[00:19:13]Meanwhile, China spends about $500,000 transforming a J6 into a J6W drone.

[00:19:19]According to reports, the People's Republic has quietly upgraded over 500 J6s to J6Ws and has thousands of J6 airframes in storage. This is part of China's ongoing expansion of its air power arsenal, which now includes modern fighters, bombers with standoff missiles, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and new drones. The J6 is not the only Cold War era aircraft Beijing is converting to modern unmanned drones either. There are reports that China plans to also transform other legacy aircraft, including the J7 and J8. Like the J6, the J7 was based on the Soviet MIG 21 and is reportedly being converted into a drone dubbed creatively the J7W.

[00:19:57]China produced more than 2,000 J7s and had over 54 variants of the aircraft before ending production back in 2013.

[00:20:05]According to Newsweek, Beijing may have already converted more than 500 J7s into J7Ws. These aircraft are larger and have a more contemporary airframe compared to the J7's cold war look. The new J7W also carries a larger payload, making it another impressive weapon in China's arsenal. Defense analysts think that the Communist Party may also be converting the J8, a heavier twin engine aircraft designed for interception, into an indigenous design, the J8W, following the J6 and J7 format. The J8 would be a larger longrange unmanned drone, increasing China's ability to attack distant targets. These new drones will also allow China to escalate attacks with supersonic high altitude cruise missiles, offering greater power and performance than the improved J6W.

[00:20:50]Although unconfirmed, analysts believe China may also have begun converting Nanch Q5 bombers into unmanned combat aerial vehicles. These drones are not the only aerial reinforcements Beijing is working on. The country has been developing some of the world's most advanced stealth drones. The GJ11 Sharp Sword is one of China's foremost weapons. Reports indicate that the units that operate the J6WS are now moving to flying these wing stealth combat UAVs.

[00:21:16]This suggests that these converted legacy drones also serve as training tools for units that will graduate to stealth drones and precision strikes.

[00:21:24]Recent deployments demonstrate that the evolution of military technology is not limited to expensive sophisticated designs. China's modernization of older fleets, the widespread use of drones in the Ukraine Russia war, and the popularity of Iranian Shahhead drones in Middle Eastern conflicts collectively indicate a trend toward more affordable weaponry. According to the Army War College, modern warfare is changing in quality, becoming more transparent, lethal, fast-paced, and multi-dommain.

[00:21:51]More states will emulate the use of tactical drones." End quote. These drones don't have to be high quality to be effective. They just need to be good enough to cause significant damage.

[00:22:04]Other countries with old fleets may soon redevelop them. Following China's example, Russia has thousands of obsolete aircraft, including the Mig 21, MiG23, and Mig 29, and it could start J6W like conversions on those as well.

[00:22:15]Russia could easily get China's help.

[00:22:17]Chinese weapons have proven decisive for Russia in the ongoing war with Ukraine.

[00:22:21]Countries like North Korea, which also has an arsenal of hundreds of MiG19s, Mig21s, and J6s, could also follow suit and modernize their stockpile to possibly attack South Korea and Japan.

[00:22:32]Pakistan also maintains a fleet of J6s which it could convert to drones and use in possible attacks against India.

[00:22:38]Iran's another country with hundreds of outdated aircraft, including F4s, F5s, and the early F-17s. Iran has also shown its military ingenuity with its missile program and it may also start converting these fighters to unmanned drones. Many other countries including Egypt, Syria, Myanmar and over 15 others have huge stockpiles of outdated J6 fighters and Soviet aircraft including MiG21s and Mig23s.

[00:23:07]China has a reputation for being measured and calculated. The government rarely acts randomly. This has led many to question why Beijing revealed the J6W drones since it didn't have to. The conversion program could have remained secret, especially from China's enemies, the US and Taiwan, as it had been for decades. They could have reveals it just before attacking Taiwan. The timing is certainly intriguing, and it suggests China may be sending a geopolitical message or playing psychological games with the West. The first message could possibly be aimed at Taiwan. China may want to remind the breakaway country that it has the power to invade and conquer the island nation. The second message to Taiwan could be that China does not respect its air defense systems which despite their cost and effectiveness are finite. In comparison, China not only has expensive, sophisticated weapons, but it also has an unlimited stockpile of cheap weapons at its disposal. The next possible message could be to the US. China may be warning that any interference or aid to Taiwan would come at a detrimental cost.

[00:24:06]Besides the J6W, China possesses a number of powerful hypersonic weapons, stealth aircraft, and ballistic missiles that could target US carriers and its bases in Guam and Japan. China could also be showing the West that it is not just independent of US- produced weapons, but it also has capabilities that rival or even surpass those of the United States. While the US and other Western countries are spending millions developing new fighters and sophisticated drone programs, China has repurposed its old hardware into new technology without spending much. By unveiling the J6W, China may be signaling to countries in the global south, especially countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, that there is an alternative approach to military development, which does not rely on Western influence. China is now the fourth largest supplier of conventional weapons behind the United States. Under Xi Jinping, the country has become a leading arms producer and exporter, modernizing and expanding its defense industry. If more countries in the global south buy Chinese weapons, it would strengthen China's security and economic influence worldwide.

[00:25:14]China's conversion of the J6 into an unmanned drone has significant global repercussions. Several countries, especially Taiwan, which faces a direct threat from these drones, have initiated countermeasures by acquiring advanced weaponry. In the United States, this development has prompted increased investment in cost-effective weapons and advanced systems capable of penetrating China's air defense network, a capability not possessed by existing US armaments. The Chinese Air Force now has one of the world's most advanced and varied fighter fleets. It ranks second globally with over 3,000 active aircraft, including nearly 2,000 fighters and 20 stealth fighters. Even with this large force, China continues to expand its arsenal by updating both its old and new aircraft. So far, China has shown more restraint than other major powers, but that could change.

[00:26:02]Many people think China might soon try to take Taiwan to strengthen its control over the Pacific and secure important shipping lanes. Besides seeking greater influence in the region, China may also want to control Taiwan to gain access to semiconductor chips. Taiwan's the top producer of these chips, which are a key component of computers, smartphones, and cars. Taiwan is home to one of only two companies in the world that can make the smallest and most advanced chips. The US, Taiwan's largest export market, relies on these chips to give it an edge over China. Control of semiconductor chips may be a flash point in a potential war between China and Taiwan.

[00:26:36]The J6W and other repurposed jets could play an important role in China's future plans to attack Taiwan and US allies in the region. These new upgraded drones herald one of the biggest changes that's currently happening in military technology. And we can only expect countries like Taiwan to improve their defenses to address or at least try to address this new threat. Thank you for watching.