China deploys spy drones to monitor the world’s most powerful military and Japan as U.S. watches Russia’s warplane and drone expansion in North Africa

The world's most powerful nations are closely monitoring one another across multiple fronts. Following reports in August that the U.S. is tracking expanding Russian military operations in Libya, China was more recently observed dispatching advanced reconnaissance aircraft to monitor large-scale joint war drills conducted by U.S. and Japanese forces.

• China deployed advanced drones and naval assets to monitor the Keen Sword 27 joint military exercises held by the U.S. and Japan near sensitive maritime areas.
• Japan confirmed that Chinese reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft approached its airspace, prompting Japan to scramble fighter jets for interception and monitoring.
• The US is focused on tracking Russia's expanded military operations across six key airbases in Libya.
• Russia's growing presence in Libya, especially near the Chad and Sudan borders, is seen as an effort to extend influence in Africa

China deploys spy drones to track joint military exercises by the U.S. and Japan

The Chinese People's Liberation Army was recently reported to have deployed unmanned aerial vehicles and naval ships to observe the Keen Sword 27 joint military exercises held by the U.S. and Japan.

Japan's Ministry of Defence confirmed that Chinese aircraft, including a BZK-005 reconnaissance drone, a Y-9 intelligence-gathering plane, and a TB-001 surveillance and attack drone, flew near Japanese territorial airspace toward the Pacific Ocean before returning to China.

The flight paths crossed critical maritime choke points, including the Miyako Strait and waters between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan.

As reported by Military Watch Magazine, the joint drills place specific focus on "waging war around Japan's southwestern islands, which closely border the Taiwan Strait".

The massive military exercise involves approximately 45,000 Japanese personnel and 12,000 American troops, along with military elements from seven allied nations.

Japan scrambled fighter jets to intercept and monitor the Chinese flights.

Military Watch Magazine noted that "China deploys one of the most advanced and diverse fleets of reconnaissance drones in the world", giving Beijing the ability to collect critical intelligence on allied operational patterns and hardware deployments.

The U.S. monitors expanding Russian airbases and drone networks across North Africa

While Washington keeps a close eye on Asia, American intelligence is also tracking Russia as Moscow rapidly expands its military presence across six strategic airbases in Libya.

Russian forces are expanding operations at key facilities, including Jufra, Al-Khadim, Ghardabiya, Brak Al-Shati, Maaten Al-Sarra, and Tamanhint.

Surveillance indicates the delivery of sophisticated weaponry such as MiG-29 fighter jets, drones, and air defense systems.

Business Insider Africa quoted African security researcher Frank Talbot, who designated the Maaten Al-Sarra base near the border of Chad and Sudan as a "potential strategic hub for Russian operations in the Sahel".

Russian military personnel numbers are rising alongside the hardware buildup, with troop presence at the Brak Al-Shati base growing from 300 to 450 in just a few months.

U.S. legislative reported out that Moscow's security expansion in Africa fits into a broader effort to "undermine the West and its image as a reliable security partner".

Business Insider Africa reported on warnings from the Africa Defense Forum that Russia's military presence "poses a challenge to efforts to unify Libya’s institutions" while enabling quietly organized arms transfers across the continent.

China’s surveillance of U.S. Japan military drills, reported by Military Watch Magazine, and Russia’s growing military presence in Libya show rising competition among global powers.