A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force aircraft spotted an unmanned aircraft in the air when a Chinese naval fleet was sailing in the eastern Philippine Sea on a recent training operation, passing between Miyakojima and the main island of Okinawa, This is the first confirmed sighting of a Chinese UAS.
The Chinese fleet has been on a two-week long voyage in the Pacific Ocean to practice its gunnery and other skills. Between the evening of the 22nd and early dawn of the 23rd, the fleet passed between Okinawa and Miyakojima sailing northwest believed on its return to base.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, on June 8th and 9th, the Chinese fleet set sail into the East China Sea in a southeastern direction, split into three groups including missile destroyers and frigates. While heading towards the eastern Philippine Sea after its training, an MSDF aircraft on patrol at the time spotted a UAS flying in the vicinity of the fleet and took photographs for further confirmation. The UAS is believed to have taken off and landed on the deck of one of the vessels.
Source: Japan Security Watch