New concerns are emerging from military planners who say the next war in the Pacific might begin not with missiles — but with drones launched from China’s container ships. As Beijing escalates its military presence near Taiwan and Japan, defense officials are rethinking what a surprise attack could look like.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) has repeatedly warned that Chinese military drills may not be as routine as they appear. In his view, these actions are designed to train troops, collect intelligence and exhaust regional defenders before a larger offensive.
Will Guam Be America’s Next Pearl Harbor?
Donald Trump’s neocolonial foreign policy could invite a surprise Chinese attack on an underprepared American island in the South Pacific.https://t.co/uMUsbwz0xL
— That is China (@That_isChina) March 24, 2025
But a growing number of experts are focusing on something else entirely — low-cost drones capable of launching from disguised platforms. These drones could be packed into ordinary cargo containers and quietly transported aboard merchant vessels sailing near U.S. ports.
China’s role as a leading manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles has given it a decisive edge. Defense analysts say these systems, while small, could be armed to damage ships, destroy aircraft or interfere with radar and communications systems.
Reports suggest some of the newer drones may have a flight range of more than 1,000 miles, opening up the possibility of attacks on military installations in Hawaii or even along the California coast. Swarms of these drones could overwhelm defenses, creating chaos before traditional weapons are ever used.
China’s naval fleet isn’t the only source of concern. The country’s commercial shipping empire — nearly 6,000 vessels — provides a global reach for deploying covert weapons platforms. Experts say some ships could even be sailing under false flags to avoid detection.
Cotton has emphasized that the U.S. must view the situation with urgency. Every Chinese incursion into Taiwanese airspace, he argues, gives the People’s Liberation Army more data and experience for launching a real operation when the time comes.
Meanwhile, China’s advanced satellite networks give them an information advantage, providing constant updates on American force locations. That real-time intelligence could make drone or missile strikes far more accurate in the opening moments of a conflict.
