A TERRIFYING Chinese stealth drone has been spotted on a major test flight.

The high-altitude UAV’s precise purpose is currently unknown.

According to the South China Morning Post, the drone could be a CH-7 stealth drone.

It is believed to be undergoing test flights in images widely circulated around social media.

The picture hows the aircraft in flight from the rear as it appears to be coming into land.

The slimline drone is a chilling reminder of China’s growing military capability.

Its landing gear is down in the photo, suggesting it’s likely in the process of touching down.

According to state broadcaster CCTV: “The CH-7 is a stealth high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by China.

“Featuring a flying-wing design, it boasts strong low-observability and all-weather operational capabilities, and is capable of performing missions such as reconnaissance and precision strikes.”

But TWZ notes that the image from the flight could be intentionally spread by the Chinese government.

It comes as China seeks to boost its military capabilities around the world.

Beijing’s armed forces have drastically boosted their capacity in recent years.

China’s elite 7th Marine Brigade – also known as the Sea Dragons – is kept at “high readiness” for conflict, experts previously told The Sun.

This secretive unit has been deployed in China’s counter-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden.

They also played a key role in evacuating Chinese nationals from the war in Yemen.

Alison O’Neil, a China researcher at the Institute for the Study of War, told The Sun: “This brigade is specifically trained for urban warfare and urban counter-terrorism. 

“The 7th Brigade is kept at high readiness.”

Elsewhere, Chinese tank boats have been filmed charging through the sea in tight formation during military drills near Taiwan.

The drills were carried out by the PLA’s 72nd Group Army just off the southern coast of Fujian province.

Military experts say the drills are “counter-display” as Taiwan launched its own large-scale military exercises.

China has also poured vast resources into building home-grown aircraft carriers.