China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has used a multi-rotor drone to deliver cases containing gold bars, New Taiwan dollars and US currency during a “wartime financial support” exercise, in a drill that appeared to simulate the logistical demands of a potential operation against Taiwan.
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The exercise was conducted by the PLA Eastern Theatre Command, according to a state media report published last week by national newspaper Defence Times. The report, which has since been deleted, showed drones dropping camouflage-covered cases at designated locations before soldiers retrieved and opened them.
Photographs released with the report showed troops in tactical camouflage uniforms counting bundles of NT$1,000 notes and US$100 bills alongside gold bars. One of the cases bore the PLA emblem and was marked “Settlement Office No 4, Nanjing Centralised Funds Receipt and Payment Management Centre”.
The report did not specify when or where the drill took place, and it was unclear whether the cash and gold displayed during the exercise were genuine.
The inclusion of New Taiwan dollars alongside US dollars and gold was particularly notable. While US currency and gold are widely accepted forms of payment, the presence of Taiwan’s currency suggests the PLA may be preparing for circumstances in which troops operating on the island could need to make payments to local residents or businesses.
In a wartime scenario, frontline units could require physical currency to purchase supplies and services, obtain intelligence, compensate civilians for damage or cover other expenses when conventional banking networks and electronic payment systems are unavailable or disrupted.
The drone-based delivery system also points to an effort to integrate financial logistics into battlefield operations. Using unmanned aircraft could allow cash and other valuables to be moved to forward positions without exposing personnel to the risks involved in transporting them by road or other conventional means.
The exercise comes against the backdrop of the PLA's continued preparations for potential military contingencies involving Taiwan. The Eastern Theatre Command is responsible for military operations in the direction of the Taiwan Strait and regularly conducts exercises involving forces from the army, navy, air force and rocket force.
The deleted report has nevertheless drawn attention online, particularly over the unusual combination of battlefield logistics, foreign currency and gold. The display of New Taiwan dollars has added to speculation that the exercise was designed with a Taiwan contingency in mind, although the available report does not explicitly state that the drill simulated an invasion or occupation of the island.
