BREAKING: China has just showcased its military capabilities by conducting a live-fire exercise featuring the ASN-301 drone, a heavily armed loitering munition, on October 27, 2025. The demonstration, aired by state media, highlights China’s growing military prowess amid escalating regional tensions.
The footage, released by the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theater Command, displays the ASN-301 being fired from a truck-mounted launch system in a desert environment. This urgent display of military might is aimed at training newly recruited drone operators, underscoring the PLA’s commitment to enhancing its aerial capabilities.
The live exercise involved two 6×6 trucks equipped with launchers capable of firing multiple ASN-301 drones. The clip shows the drone soaring upwards shortly after launch, before maneuvering towards a simulated target, which resembled an airfield, and detonating upon impact. This marks a significant moment as it is the first time the PLA has publicly simulated strikes on enemy radar sites, according to reports from CCTV.
The ASN-301 resembles both the Iranian Shahed-136 and Israel’s Harpy drone, but is primarily designed to detect and destroy air defense systems. Beijing is believed to have developed this drone based on technology acquired from its previous purchases of Harpy drones from Israel in the 1990s. The ASN-301, also referred to as JSW-01 or Flying Dragon 300A, can operate autonomously or be remotely piloted, boasting a flight range of 170 miles and a speed of up to 136 mph.
While CCTV did not explicitly mention Taiwan during the broadcast, the exercise was conducted by a brigade of the Eastern Theater Command, which is China’s principal military force facing Taiwan. The Taiwan Strait, measuring approximately 110 miles wide, is within the operational range of the ASN-301, raising concerns about potential military actions in the region.
This demonstration comes as Russia’s use of Iranian-designed Shahed drones in the conflict in Ukraine has drawn global attention. The Kremlin’s deployment of these drones has revolutionized modern warfare tactics, emphasizing the need for robust air defense systems. In light of this, Taiwan has announced plans to procure nearly 100,000 military drones, including smaller models similar to those utilized in Ukraine, to bolster its defense capabilities.
The international response to China’s latest military display is anticipated to be significant, with analysts predicting heightened tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. The PLA’s increasing drone capabilities and live-fire exercises reflect a shift in military strategy that could provoke a response from neighboring countries and impact global security dynamics.
As this situation develops, observers will closely monitor China’s military activities and their implications for regional stability. This urgent demonstration of the ASN-301 serves as a stark reminder of the evolving landscape of modern warfare and the increasing reliance on drone technology in military operations.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.
