China is training 10,000 messenger pigeons to deliver vital military communications in the event of the country’s communication systems breaking down.
China has had a division of military homing pigeons since 1950 Photo: AFP/GETTY IMAGES
According to the Chinese state media, the pigeons are being trained by a special unit of the People’s Liberation Army in the central city of Chengdu.
“They will be primarily called upon to conduct special military missions between troops stationed at our borders,” said Chen Hong, an air force expert, to China Central Television (CCTV), the state broadcaster.
“In modern warfare, the pigeon is indispensable,” he added. “There are as many military pigeons as there are soldiers in the Swiss army, for example.” Chen Chuntao, the officer responsible for the pigeon “army” said the birds were the “most practical and effective short and medium distance tool for communications if there is electromagnetic interference or a collapse in our signals”.