China hints at combat-ready FH-97 drone debut

Leaked rehearsal images hint at a debut of a stealth drone that could reshape air warfare.

China readies combat-ready FH-97 drone as loyal wingman

Leaked images from Beijing rehearsals suggest the FH-97 Feihong-97 stealth drone may appear at the Victory Day parade. The single-engine, ground-attack unmanned aircraft is pictured on a support vehicle during preparations for the September 3 event marking the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender. If confirmed, the drone would represent China’s first combat-ready stealth drone designed to operate with crewed fighters in a loyal wingman role, expanding the pace and reach of its air power. The second full rehearsal near Tiananmen Square involved around 40,000 personnel and showcased a broad display of equipment. Experts caution the photos are not conclusive without official confirmation. A formal debut would place China at the forefront of the wingman concept, potentially affecting regional security calculations and rival tech plans. Questions remain about payload, range and control systems, and observers warn that parade reveals mix military signaling with genuine capability.

If real, the FH-97 would illustrate a shift in how nations present military tech. The loyal wingman idea relies on data sharing between unmanned aircraft and crewed jets, along with autonomous control and cyber resilience. That mix raises questions about reliability, command and control, and escalation risk. The timing around a Victory Day ceremony reads as political signaling as well as a technical milestone, reminding readers that defense budgets and public opinion can pivot on a single showcase. The potential race to field similar systems could reshape alliances and procurement in the coming years.

Highlights

The coming weeks will reveal official confirmation and independent analysis of what the FH-97 can actually do.