Chinese military vessels and spy drones track Keen Sword war games off Japan

Keen Sword is a recurring joint military exercise involving Japan’s Self-Defence Forces and the US military. It tests how the two allies would coordinate across multiple locations in Japan. This year’s exercise began as Chinese aircraft and naval vessels were detected moving through waters and airspace near Japan.

The exercise includes US NMESIS anti-ship missile systems on Yonaguni Island and Japanese Type 25 surface-to-ship missiles in southern Kyushu. Yonaguni lies about 110km from Taiwan, while the Japanese missiles have a reported range of about 1,000km. These deployments train forces to operate across key approaches to the region.

The timing matters because Japan and the United States are practicing during increased tension with Beijing. Japan’s prime minister said in November that Japan could intervene militarily in a Taiwan conflict. Keen Sword therefore demonstrates allied readiness, while Chinese patrols and intelligence activity raise the risk of misunderstanding.

Keen Sword involves about 45,000 Japanese Self-Defence Forces personnel and 12,000 US troops. That totals roughly 57,000 people, making it one of the biggest drills ever conducted by Japan and the United States. The exercise runs until October 29 across multiple locations in Japan.

The article identifies US NMESIS anti-ship missile systems and Japan’s Type 25 surface-to-ship guided missiles. NMESIS systems will deploy to Yonaguni, while Type 25 missiles will move to a training ground in southern Kyushu. The article does not state how many missile systems, ships, or aircraft are involved in the exercise itself.

A US carrier strike group led by USS Theodore Roosevelt arrived at Yokosuka and is scheduled to participate. The article also mentions Chinese aircraft and ships being monitored, but those are not presented as Keen Sword participants. The exercise combines personnel, missile deployments, and carrier operations.

Japan reported three Chinese military aircraft on Monday: BZK-005 and TB-001 reconnaissance drones, plus a Y-9 intelligence-gathering aircraft. The BZK-005 and Y-9 entered from the East China Sea, crossed the Miyako Strait, flew into the Pacific, and turned back toward mainland China. Japan scrambled fighter jets in response.

The TB-001 passed between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan, flew northeast toward waters off Amami Oshima, then returned through the Miyako Strait. Japan also reported seven Chinese naval vessels. Intelligence ships Yuhengxing and Kaiyangxing used routes through the Osumi and Miyako straits, respectively.

The guided-missile destroyer Qiqihar and combat-support ship Hulunhu passed through the Osumi Strait toward the Pacific. Japan also tracked the Liaoning carrier group after it crossed the Miyako Strait. The vessels’ movements coincided with Keen Sword and added to military activity near Japan, Taiwan, and the Pacific.

The Miyako and Osumi straits are routes through Japan’s island chain toward the Pacific. Forces using them can move from the East China Sea or waters around Japan into the wider Pacific without crossing directly over Japan’s main islands. That makes their traffic important to surveillance and regional planning.

The article records several examples. The BZK-005 drone and Y-9 aircraft passed through the Miyako Strait into the Pacific, while the TB-001 crossed between Yonaguni and Taiwan before returning through Miyako. Chinese ships, including Yuhengxing, Qiqihar, and Hulunhu, used the Osumi Strait on routes toward the Pacific.

Yonaguni is strategically significant because it is Japan’s westernmost inhabited island and lies about 110km from Taiwan. The United States will deploy NMESIS there during Keen Sword. These routes and positions help connect Japan, Taiwan, and the Pacific, concentrating military activity along the first island chain.

Reconnaissance drones and intelligence-gathering ships collect information about activity, routes, and forces. A reconnaissance aircraft performs a similar airborne role. These systems help commanders understand an operating area without relying only on nearby combat ships.

An aircraft carrier provides a mobile base for fighter jets and helicopters. The Liaoning demonstrated that role through about 10 reported take-offs and landings during its western Pacific drills. A replenishment ship supports a carrier group by carrying fuel, supplies, and other necessities. Hulunhu is one of the world’s largest naval replenishment ships.

These roles work together in a naval operation. Intelligence platforms observe, the carrier projects air power, and the replenishment ship extends the group’s ability to remain at sea. Chinese state media and naval enthusiasts call Hulunhu the “super nanny” or “carrier mother.” Japan is watching whether it will join the Liaoning in the Pacific.

The immediate consequence was a Japanese fighter scramble after three Chinese military aircraft flew through international airspace between Japanese islands and the Pacific. Japan’s defence ministry also tracked several Chinese naval vessels and monitored the Liaoning carrier group. These actions show that the movements triggered active surveillance and military responses.

The aircraft included BZK-005 and TB-001 drones and a Y-9 intelligence aircraft. Japan reported that Chinese ships also passed through the Miyako and Osumi straits. It tracked the Liaoning group’s aircraft activity and later reported that the four vessels were sailing toward the South China Sea.

Such activity can increase tensions because forces from both sides are operating in nearby air and sea routes at the same time. Keen Sword adds allied exercises, missile deployments, and a US carrier strike group. The article says the Hulunhu and Liaoning will be closely watched through the end of the exercise.

Taiwan is central because Beijing sees it as part of China and, according to the article, may reunify it by force if necessary. A Taiwan contingency therefore means a possible conflict over Taiwan. Such a conflict could affect nearby Japan and draw in the United States, making regional military coordination important.

Japan is holding Keen Sword with the United States, including missile deployments to Yonaguni and southern Kyushu. Yonaguni is about 110km from Taiwan. Japan’s Type 25 missiles have a reported range of about 1,000km, while US NMESIS systems are being deployed to Yonaguni. These steps practice operating near Taiwan’s approaches.

The relationship is under strain after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan could intervene militarily in a Taiwan conflict. Chinese aircraft and ships then moved through routes near Japan as the exercise began. The article presents these activities as a concentration of military forces along the first island chain.