China to release seized American drone ‘relatively soon’: US defence officials

The Pentagon says the unmanned, underwater vehicle (UUV) used unclassified, commercially available technology to collect scientific data about things like the salinity, temperature and clarity of the water.

The United States expects China to return an underwater drone “relatively soon” after a Chinese naval vessel seized it in the South China Sea last week, triggering US protests, two US defence officials told Reuters on Monday.

China's seizure of an American underwater drone is the latest sign that the Pacific Ocean's dominant power and its rising Asian challenger are headed for more confrontation once US President-elect Donald Trump takes office, analysts said on Monday. (AP file photo)

One scenario saw a US Navy destroyer receiving the drone from China at an agreed upon location in the South China Sea, one of the officials said. Both officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said talks with China were progressing.

The Pentagon says the unmanned, underwater vehicle (UUV) used unclassified, commercially available technology to collect scientific data about things like the salinity, temperature and clarity of the water.