The US is expanding its MQ-9 Reaper drone network in the Asia-Pacific region, raising concerns for China. The MQ-9 can perform high-altitude reconnaissance and strikes, flying up to 50,000 feet with long endurance. A Chinese military magazine said this allows the US to operate these drones near or inside Chinese airspace for intelligence missions. In January, a drone variant called MQ-9B SeaGuardian was upgraded to carry more sonobuoys for submarine tracking. Retired Chinese Colonel Yue Gang said these drones provide cheap and continuous underwater detection and can strike targets immediately. Since September, six MQ-9 drones have been permanently stationed at Kadena Air Base in Japan, adding to eight already there. From this base, drones monitor the East China Sea and Taiwan Strait. Another squadron has been at South Korea’s Kunsan Air Base, watching Chinese and North Korean activity in the Yellow Sea. US allies are also boosting their MQ-9 fleets. Japan plans to double its coastguard’s drones to 10 by 2031 and buy 23 SeaGuardians by 2032. India bought two MQ-9Bs after the 2020 China border clash and ordered 31 more worth $3.5 billion, expected by 2030. South Korea and Australia may receive technology to develop similar drones. China fears these drones will create a shared intelligence network among US allies along the first island chain, enhancing real-time battlefield data sharing. Ex-PLA instructor Song Zhongping called this collective surveillance a growing threat to China's security. He Xianqing from the National Institute for South China Sea Studies said MQ-9 drones mainly provide surveillance while striking only when necessary. China, however, has countermeasures like air-defense missiles, laser weapons, and electromagnetic jamming. Yue suggested using similar armed drones to drive away these US drones. China’s own drones, like Wing Loong-10 and Cai Hong-5, match or surpass the MQ-9’s performance. The main challenge is stopping US-led reconnaissance without causing conflict escalation, said He. With the MQ-9 network expanding fast in Asia, China faces a new era of aerial and underwater surveillance threats.