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Released on, Sept. 23 — September 23, 2025 6:41 PM

Beijing: The Chinese military has effectively converted its long-standing J-6 fighter jets into unmanned drones, providing a fresh purpose for a Cold War-era aircraft. The modified drone made its appearance at the recent Changchun Air Show, validating ongoing rumors regarding China’s initiative to modernize its outdated fleet.

The J-6, derived from the Soviet MiG-19, was manufactured in large numbers from the 1960s through the 1980s. It is a second-generation supersonic fighter jet that can reach speeds of 1.3 times the speed of sound, has a combat range of 700 kilometers, and can carry 250 kg of armaments. Today, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is repurposing these aircraft for modern, cost-effective drone operations.

As reported by Chinese media, the drone maintains most of the original J-6 structure but eliminates human-related elements such as ejection seats, machine guns, and additional fuel tanks. Instead, advanced systems including autopilot, automated flight control, and terrain-matching navigation have been incorporated. Additional weapon stations have also been fitted to enhance its combat effectiveness.

The J-6 drone is anticipated to be used for both attack operations and as training targets. Although it has an outdated design, specialists note that its straightforward construction makes it more difficult to jam or detect with current electronic warfare technologies. In combat situations, groups of J-6 drones could overwhelm enemy defenses while protecting China’s more sophisticated aircraft.

It is estimated that China might have approximately 3,000 retired J-6 planes stored, presenting a significant possible stockpile for conversion into drones. Along with being cost-effective, employing these drones could reveal the positions of enemy radars, which can subsequently be attacked using anti-radiation missiles or jamming technologies – providing China with a tactical advantage in contemporary electronic warfare.