Rep. Chris Smith, a Republican, says a ‘major military power’ is behind the sightings, which have caused panic and confusion as drones have been seen over US soil
A US Congressman has cast suspicion on four countries for the enigmatic drones observed in New Jersey’s airspace.
Rep. Chris Smith, representing New Jersey’s 4th district, pointed fingers at a “major military power” for the drone sightings that have sparked alarm and bewilderment. He named Russia, China, Iran and North Korea as potential culprits for dispatching the unmanned vehicles over American territory, despite official statements dismissing the involvement of foreign adversary nations.
Rep. Smith said: “The elusive manoeuvring of these drones suggests a major military power sophistication that begs the question whether they have been deployed to test our defense capabilities – or worse – by violent dictatorships, perhaps maybe Russia, or China, or Iran, or North Korea.”
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Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder expressed scepticism on Monday (December 16) regarding the notion that the drones are conducting espionage, noting their conspicuous noise and visibility. He highlighted there are about one million registered drones in the US, with roughly 8,000 airborne each day.
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh confirmed the mysterious aircraft are not operated by the US military. Smith has called on the Pentagon to sanction the use of force to intercept one or more drones to uncover their origins.
Smith suggested the drones could be safely neutralised over the sea or in uninhabited terrestrial regions, questioning: “Why can’t we bag at least one of these drones and get to the bottom of it?”
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Mysterious drones have been buzzing over New Jersey and other parts of the eastern US, causing a stir among residents and officials alike.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and US Senator Andy Kim have taken matters into their own hands, embarking on drone hunts in search of answers. The FBI, Homeland Security, state police and various agencies are on the case.
Despite assurances from Murphy and law enforcement that the drones don’t pose a threat to public safety, calls for tighter drone regulations are echoing through the halls of state and local government, with some lawmakers even suggesting they should be able to shoot them down.
Since mid-November, numerous sightings of drones have been reported across the state, including near military and presidential sites such as the Picatinny Arsenal and President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course.