A Chinese military magazine has suggested that if Taiwan sends a swarm of uncrewed combat boats across the strait – a strategy inspired by Ukraine – Beijing could counter with its GJ-21 stealth attack drones.

According to a commentary in Defence Review, the GJ-21 has long endurance and high manoeuvrability, which would give it a critical advantage against a “game changing” swarm attack by unmanned surface vessels.

The GJ-21 – a naval variant of the GJ-11 Sharp Sword – is the world’s first and only operational ship-based stealth combat drone.

It has been seen on the decks of the Fujian aircraft carrier and Type 076 amphibious landing ship the Sichuan, both of which have electromagnetic catapults that are faster and more powerful than steam catapults.

As tensions across the strait have worsened in recent years, Taiwan’s military focus has been on an asymmetric warfare – or “porcupine” – strategy to defend itself against attack from the much bigger and better armed People’s Liberation Army.