China has deployed monkeys to protect its troops

Meet China’s new secret weapon: monkeys.

The People’s Liberation Army has recruited macaques to protect an air force base in northern China from migratory birds, state media reported.

The highly trained unit of monkeys has been described as China's "secret weapon."

Don't be deceived by their cute appearance. 

Here's one of the new recruits.

China Air Force Network/Ministry of National Defense

The furry defenders have been charged with discouraging the birds from building nests near the unidentified air force base.

The birds can cause potentially deadly havoc if they get sucked into the engine of an aircraft mid-flight.

Bye, bye nest. 

Chinese Air Force Network/Ministry of National Defense

Previous attempts to evict the feathered enemy, such as installing scarecrows, setting off firecrackers and even firing live ammunition, failed. They kept coming back. 

So the decision was made to teach monkeys to destroy the nests and scare the intruders away once and for all.

Look at me!

China Air Force Network/Ministry of National Defense

The macaques are said to have been successful because they leave a scent on the branches, which the birds don't like. 

Best of friends.

China Air Force Network/Ministry of National Defense