The Philippine Coast Guard reported an increased presence of Chinese maritime forces, including warships, in the area last year compared to 2024. The Seasats footage is striking less for what it shows of the Chinese vessel than for what it reveals about the changing nature of war: a small drone that costs about $240,000 can get close to – and theoretically threaten – a billion-dollar warship. In this case, it was a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy Type 052D guided-missile destroyer. Reuters verified the identity of the vessel as a Chinese Type 052D destroyer by the deck layout, superstructure, crane and mast, which matched archive imagery. Seasats said it has had multiple encounters with Chinese naval vessels over the years, including Type 052 destroyers, Type 055 destroyers and Type 056 corvettes.