The successful maiden flight of China's first shipborne stealth reconnaissance-strike integrated drone GJ-21 marks an important achievement in the Chinese army's development, said a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense in Beijing on Friday.
At a press conference, Chen Xi, the spokesman, made the remarks in response to media questions about the drone's success in performing its first takeoff and landing operation aboard the Sichuan, China's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, and whether it will expand the Chinese Navy's far‑sea operational capabilities and change the balance of maritime forces in the Western Pacific.
"The GJ-21 stealth drone's successful first takeoff and landing on the Sichuan warship marks an important achievement of the Chinese army in building new-domain, new-quality combat capabilities. We have adhered to following the guidance of battle requirements, keeping the pace with the world military technological development, and accelerating the modernization of our weapons and equipment. All this is aimed to safeguarding our national sovereignty, security, and development interests. It should be emphasized that China remains committed to the path of peaceful development, consistently upholds a defensive national defense policy, and is always a force for peace, stability, and progress in the world," said Chen.
Defense Ministry spokesman on maiden shipborne flight of stealth drone
