https://www.scmp.com/rss/521293/feed Latest news on UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), including cutting-edge developments in drone technology, military applications, and their global impact. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Fran Lu Fran Lu A 14-year-old Chinese boy who reportedly “handcrafted” turbo engines in his home living room has sparked a heated social media discussion about his background. Teenager Che Jingang, from southern China’s Hainan Island, came under the spotlight after several state media outlets reported him as a self-taught engineer. Che, who has a social media account run by his mother with 30,000 followers, said he is enthusiastic about “everything that flies” and this passion led him down a path of... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3351157/china-boy-grabs-public-attention-handcrafting-turbojet-engine-familys-living-room?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3351157/china-boy-grabs-public-attention-handcrafting-turbojet-engine-familys-living-room?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Meredith Chen Meredith Chen A hybrid propulsion system designed to make small battlefield drones stealthier and go further has passed its flight tests, according to Chinese state media. The system’s motor is driven by fuel-powered electricity, combining two systems to make the best of both, according to a report on Friday on CCTV-7, China’s military television channel. Drone propulsion has largely followed two distinct paths. Fuel-powered systems are typically used in bigger uncrewed aircraft, offering strong performance... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3348309/quieter-stealthier-further-new-hybrid-unit-power-chinas-small-battle-drones?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3348309/quieter-stealthier-further-new-hybrid-unit-power-chinas-small-battle-drones?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taipei aims to leverage geopolitics by positioning itself as an Asia-Pacific drone hub built on a supply chain decoupled from mainland China, though challenges relating to scale, politics and timing threaten its ambitious industrial strategy. The push reflects a broader effort by the administration of Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te to position the island as a node in what officials have described as a “democratic supply chain” free of mainland Chinese components amid rising geopolitical... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3347745/can-taiwan-fulfil-its-asia-pacific-drone-hub-goal-non-red-supply-chain-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3347745/can-taiwan-fulfil-its-asia-pacific-drone-hub-goal-non-red-supply-chain-push?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 02:00:14 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen While Iranian Shahed-136 suicide drones recently drew attention for destroying key US radars and striking targets as far away as Cyprus in the US-Israel war on Iran, their distant “cousins” in China may pose an even higher risk in a future conflict. China’s ASN-301 shares the Iranian drone’s aerodynamic delta-wing design that is rooted in a common technological origin. The Chinese drone and its variants have evolved into either a highly sophisticated SEAD (suppression of enemy air defences)... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3347494/why-chinas-asn-301-suicide-drone-more-deadly-its-iranian-counterpart?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3347494/why-chinas-asn-301-suicide-drone-more-deadly-its-iranian-counterpart?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 14:00:13 +0000 Alcott Wei,Amber Wang Alcott Wei,Amber Wang A new type of autonomous helicopter has been seen operating on the Type 075 amphibious assault ship, possibly improving the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) capabilities in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. Mainland state broadcaster CCTV on Thursday released a video explaining the operational capabilities of China’s Type 075 amphibious assault ship. It showed a lightweight uncrewed helicopter parked on the ship with folding rotors that appeared to be slightly smaller than the PLA’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3346655/could-plas-new-shipborne-drone-redefine-naval-operations-south-china-sea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3346655/could-plas-new-shipborne-drone-redefine-naval-operations-south-china-sea?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 14:00:10 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei China is using AI to help its radars better detect low-altitude drones, according to a top Chinese military scientist who said drone swarm tactics – as used in the US’ ongoing attack on Iran – were an emerging challenge for radar systems. Xu Jin, a leading air-defence radar expert and a member of China’s top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, revealed the AI initiative in an interview with the South China Morning Post on... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3346493/china-announces-ai-boost-radar-drone-swarms-confound-detectors-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3346493/china-announces-ai-boost-radar-drone-swarms-confound-detectors-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:01:31 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang At the Middle East’s largest defence exhibition, a Chinese state-owned shipbuilding giant is showcasing a new surface-to-subsurface delivery vehicle designed for frogman operations in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) is displaying a small model of the vehicle, named SDV-01, at the World Defence Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Running from Sunday to Thursday, the show features a substantial Chinese presence, including its naval weapons, which in... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3343069/china-lifts-veil-secretive-underwater-combat-vehicle-saudi-arabia-defence-show?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3343069/china-lifts-veil-secretive-underwater-combat-vehicle-saudi-arabia-defence-show?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:00:32 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang China has showcased a range of uncrewed platforms – including a drone for anti-submarine warfare – at the World Defence Show in Saudi Arabia, as demand grows in the region for autonomous systems. More than 770 exhibitors from 76 countries are taking part in the defence show in Riyadh, which opened on Sunday and runs until Thursday. China has one of the biggest pavilions at the show, and a full-scale model of the Wing Loong-X unmanned aerial vehicle is among the Chinese drones drawing... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3342898/chinese-drone-anti-submarine-warfare-among-systems-saudi-defence-show?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3342898/chinese-drone-anti-submarine-warfare-among-systems-saudi-defence-show?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Zhang Tong Zhang Tong In a world first, Chinese researchers have flight-tested new streamlined thrust technology in a high-speed drone, capping nearly two decades of research in the area for the lead scientist. The lighter and simpler aerodynamic thrust vectoring system abandons the complex mechanical parts of elite fighter jets like the F-35B and Su-37 to redirect engine exhaust to make the aircraft more manoeuverable. Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics announced last month that a team led by... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3342814/lighter-simpler-faster-could-thrust-device-give-chinese-drones-edge-over-f-35s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3342814/lighter-simpler-faster-could-thrust-device-give-chinese-drones-edge-over-f-35s?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:00:12 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei Beijing’s new hybrid-powered unmanned transport aircraft has completed its maiden flight, a development one analyst said could be a military “game changer” in the Taiwan Strait by helping supply elite frontline troops. On Tuesday, state broadcaster CCTV described the CH YH-1000S as “the world’s first hybrid-powered unmanned transport aircraft” and said it had completed its maiden flight on Sunday at an airport in the southwestern city of Chongqing. “[The drone] carried a high-powered hybrid... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3342435/could-chinas-first-hybrid-transport-drone-prove-game-changer-taiwan-strait?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3342435/could-chinas-first-hybrid-transport-drone-prove-game-changer-taiwan-strait?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Feb 2026 04:02:44 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei The People’s Liberation Army has released fresh details of its tests of AI-enabled drone swarm warfare, saying a single soldier can control a swarm of more than 200 drones. In a defence news programme aired on Tuesday, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV released details of a drone swarm test conducted by the PLA-affiliated National University of Defence Technology. Drone swarm warfare relies on artificial intelligence and data links to launch hundreds of drones in a short time. These drones could... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3340972/1-soldier-200-drones-china-showcases-rapid-launch-and-agility-swarm-warfare-tactics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3340972/1-soldier-200-drones-china-showcases-rapid-launch-and-agility-swarm-warfare-tactics?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:00:15 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei The People’s Liberation Army has released footage of exercises countering swarms of suicide drones, a key element of Taiwan’s asymmetric defence strategy. Mainland state broadcaster CCTV showed a video on Sunday of a naval unit conducting anti-drone and uncrewed target drills as the PLA launched its 2026 training cycle. During the drills, the “blue force”, acting as the adversary, deployed multiple suicide drones to simulate ultra-low-altitude penetration strikes against maritime targets. In... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3339041/pla-drills-target-swarms-suicide-drones-taiwans-front-line-defence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3339041/pla-drills-target-swarms-suicide-drones-taiwans-front-line-defence?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jan 2026 14:00:11 +0000 Shi Jiangtao Shi Jiangtao Beijing adopted sweeping revisions to its decades-old Civil Aviation Law on Saturday, formally bringing uncrewed aircraft such as drones under the national legal framework for the first time and signaling state support for the country’s rapidly growing low-altitude economy. The revisions, which will come into effect on July 1, were approved by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee and are a critical step in closing long-standing gaps in safety regulation. They will also guide... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3337897/china-puts-drone-rules-law-low-altitude-economy-takes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3337897/china-puts-drone-rules-law-low-altitude-economy-takes?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 11:12:39 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang The key to achieving wartime victory through expendable drones lies in “saturation attacks based on numerical superiority”, the official paper of the People’s Liberation Army has said as the Chinese military speeds up its development of unmanned systems. In a commentary on Tuesday titled “Exploring the Winning Formula for Unmanned Attrition Warfare”, the PLA Daily said that it would be imperative to “flexibly deploy low-cost unmanned systems to continuously deplete the opponent’s high-value... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3337513/saturation-attacks-drone-swarms-key-wartime-victory-chinese-military-outlet-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3337513/saturation-attacks-drone-swarms-key-wartime-victory-chinese-military-outlet-says?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:38:33 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei China’s latest long-endurance stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the CH-7, has completed its maiden flight, further expanding Beijing’s rapidly growing arsenal of autonomous weapons. State broadcaster CCTV said on Monday that China’s new high-altitude, high-speed, long-endurance CH-7 had recently completed its first flight. The drone offered long endurance, stealth and high cruising speed, meeting the needs of ground observation, data support and communication under complex conditions, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3336520/chinas-latest-stealth-endurance-drone-ch-7-completes-maiden-flight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3336520/chinas-latest-stealth-endurance-drone-ch-7-completes-maiden-flight?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:00:10 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang China’s massive aerial drone carrier the Jiu Tian has completed its first flight, adding to the potential swarming capacities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The Jiu Tian, which is itself a large drone, took to the air for the first time in the northwestern province of Shaanxi, state news agency Xinhua said on Thursday. The report did not mention when this took place. Designed by the First Aircraft Institute of the state-owned aerospace giant Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC),... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3336098/first-flight-chinas-giant-drone-carrier-jiu-tian-signals-pla-swarm-capacity-boost?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3336098/first-flight-chinas-giant-drone-carrier-jiu-tian-signals-pla-swarm-capacity-boost?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Dec 2025 13:20:05 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei The Chinese air force has released video of its GJ-11 stealth attack drone flying alongside and linked to the J-20 fighter jet in what is the first footage of the country’s crewed and uncrewed aircraft working together. The footage appeared in a promotional video released by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force on Tuesday to mark the 76th anniversary of its founding. It shows the drone flying in formation with the J-20, China’s most advanced fighter jet, as well as the J-16D fighter, a... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3332383/pla-shows-first-footage-chinese-gj-11-drone-collaborating-crewed-j-20-fighter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3332383/pla-shows-first-footage-chinese-gj-11-drone-collaborating-crewed-j-20-fighter?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Nov 2025 13:02:07 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang A Chinese military journal has revealed the surprising cost-effectiveness of China’s mass-produced suicide drones, positioning them as a major threat in modern warfare and an especially appealing acquisition for potential customers such as Pakistan. The latest issue of Ordnance Industry Science Technology has revealed that the Feilong-300D reconnaissance and attack drone, which debuted at the Zhuhai air show last year, could be priced as low as US$10,000 per unit. The report provided the first... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3331052/low-cost-killer-can-chinas-feilong-300d-suicide-drone-deter-rivals-and-impress-buyers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3331052/low-cost-killer-can-chinas-feilong-300d-suicide-drone-deter-rivals-and-impress-buyers?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Nov 2025 10:00:12 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang A nationwide drone competition in China has offered rare insight into the depth and breadth of participation by young people in the cutting-edge field as Beijing seeks military advances in uncrewed technology. More than 200 teams from 106 universities took part in the final round of this year’s National Youth Intelligent Unmanned Systems Application Competition in Shanghai last week, China Youth Daily reported on Wednesday. The competition featured various elements of uncrewed technology, such... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3330368/what-does-chinese-drone-competition-say-about-beijings-military-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3330368/what-does-chinese-drone-competition-say-about-beijings-military-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Oct 2025 13:00:15 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang A new Chinese stealth flying-wing drone, possibly a next-generation bomber, has been spotted flying for the first time. A video of the large stealth “cranked kite” drone, unofficially dubbed the GJ-X, has circulated on Chinese social media since October 19. It appeared to be the same aircraft – or one with a very similar design – captured in satellite imagery taken in August at China’s Malan airbase in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, according to a report by The War Zone earlier this week. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3329842/new-chinese-stealth-drone-spotted-flying-first-time-it-next-gen-bomber?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3329842/new-chinese-stealth-drone-spotted-flying-first-time-it-next-gen-bomber?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 04:00:16 +0000 Seong Hyeon Choi Seong Hyeon Choi The US has deployed a new air defence system in South Korea – dubbed America’s Iron Dome – in what analysts see as an effort by Washington to counter Chinese or North Korean drone operations in the event of a conflict in the region. On Thursday, the Pentagon’s Defence Visual Information Distribution Service uploaded photos of US Army Chief of Staff General Randy George’s visit to South Korea last Monday for an engagement with US Forces Korea (USFK) soldiers and meetings with South Korean... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3327190/south-koreas-new-us-iron-dome-air-defence-system-seen-reply-china-north-korea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3327190/south-koreas-new-us-iron-dome-air-defence-system-seen-reply-china-north-korea?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 04:00:08 +0000 Liu Zhen,Alcott Wei Liu Zhen,Alcott Wei The People’s Liberation Army has revealed a combat drone – converted from a retired 1950s J-6 fighter jet – that could be used for a swarm attack in a potential conflict across the Taiwan Strait. The drone was unveiled at the Changchun air show in northeast China, which opened on Friday and finishes on Tuesday. Its appearance has confirmed years of speculation that the PLA was trying to repurpose its legacy fleet of J-6s. China built thousands of the warplanes – based on the Soviet MiG-19 – from... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3326390/pla-turned-soviet-era-fighter-jet-drone-could-be-used-swarm-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3326390/pla-turned-soviet-era-fighter-jet-drone-could-be-used-swarm-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Sep 2025 14:00:17 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen As China’s Victory Day parade got under way in Beijing on September 3, some of the world’s most advanced military hardware began to file through Tiananmen Square with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – the GJ-11 “Sharp Sword” – leading the way. The drone, with the number 21 displayed on its fuselage, represented one of the most advanced uncrewed systems in service in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). A closer look at the aircraft’s wings showed visible folding hinges, a change from the debut... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3325565/chinas-gj-11-sharp-sword-uav-poised-crucial-roles-intelligent-warfare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3325565/chinas-gj-11-sharp-sword-uav-poised-crucial-roles-intelligent-warfare?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Sep 2025 02:00:48 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taiwan has unveiled two flagship projects at its most ambitious arms fair yet – signalling both its push for defence self-reliance and its deepening cooperation with American firms aimed at deterring Beijing’s growing military pressure. The three-day Taipei Aerospace and Defence Technology Exhibition (TADTE) opened on Thursday at the Nangang Exhibition Centre, drawing more than 400 local and international exhibitors from 14 countries, including the United States, Germany and France. The biennial... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3326197/taiwan-flexes-defence-self-reliance-us-missile-and-drone-partnerships-arms-fair?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3326197/taiwan-flexes-defence-self-reliance-us-missile-and-drone-partnerships-arms-fair?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Sep 2025 04:00:17 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen Previously unknown drones are making their debut at the five-day Changchun air show, which opened on Friday in the provincial capital of Jilin in northeast China, just two weeks after the Victory Day military parade showcased several new models. Among those attracting attention during pre-opening preparations was a twin-engined flying-wing tailless drone developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the country’s leading scientific institution. The show – which highlights the PLA Air Force... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3326177/china-reveals-more-its-drone-power-air-show-2-weeks-after-victory-parade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3326177/china-reveals-more-its-drone-power-air-show-2-weeks-after-victory-parade?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:00:09 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taiwan is moving swiftly to expand its long-range strike abilities with a new class of low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This comes as military planners seek affordable alternatives to expensive cruise missiles and Washington deepens cooperation with Taipei on drones and emerging technologies. The urgency has grown since Beijing showcased cutting-edge uncrewed systems during its Victory Day parade at Tiananmen Square on Wednesday – platforms that analysts said mirrored or even surpassed... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3324528/could-taiwans-new-high-low-attack-drone-strategy-counter-mainland-chinas-arsenal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3324528/could-taiwans-new-high-low-attack-drone-strategy-counter-mainland-chinas-arsenal?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Sep 2025 06:00:15 +0000 Alcott Wei,Amber Wang Alcott Wei,Amber Wang Among the many pieces of advanced military hardware showcased during Wednesday’s Victory Day parade in Beijing were at least four unnamed drones, at least one of which was a “loyal wingman”, a stealth attack drone supposedly capable of coordinated aerial warfare alongside crewed jets, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The appearance left military observers to speculate about what they had seen, and raised many new questions. Some experts believe the advanced aircraft are capable of hypersonic... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3324385/beyond-parade-what-chinas-new-stealth-drones-mean-future-air-combat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3324385/beyond-parade-what-chinas-new-stealth-drones-mean-future-air-combat?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Sep 2025 02:00:22 +0000 Enoch Wong Enoch Wong Some 16 years after China first showcased drones in a military parade, there is keen interest in how the People’s Liberation Army has developed its uncrewed systems, and how they will be displayed during Beijing’s military parade on Wednesday. Analysts say the breadth and variety of drone systems expected at China’s coming military parade could underscore the PLA’s rapid advances in integrating autonomous technologies across air, land and sea, signalling a shift towards AI-enabled, multi-domain... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3323871/how-will-advanced-drones-and-robobeasts-share-stage-chinas-military-personnel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3323871/how-will-advanced-drones-and-robobeasts-share-stage-chinas-military-personnel?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Sep 2025 05:01:07 +0000 Amber Wang,Sylvie Zhuang Amber Wang,Sylvie Zhuang China is on a mission to turn its military into a modern fighting force. In the third of this four-part series, we look at why drones are not replacing humans on the battlefield but ‘redefining roles’. Rapid advances in drone and robot technology in recent years are reshaping modern warfare. From robot dogs to hi-tech drones, top military powers like China and the United States have technology that could – in the not too distant future – play important roles on the battlefield, while humans stay... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3323036/why-china-and-us-still-invest-costly-crewed-military-systems-when-they-have-drones?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3323036/why-china-and-us-still-invest-costly-crewed-military-systems-when-they-have-drones?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 22:00:12 +0000 Enoch Wong Enoch Wong The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is likely to showcase a new type of advanced stealth attack drone during September’s Victory Day parade in Beijing, rehearsal images circulating online suggest. The FH-97, a single-engine, ground-attack uncrewed aircraft, has been described as potentially China’s first combat-ready stealth drone, capable of coordinated aerial warfare alongside crewed jets. Photos leaked online over the weekend appeared to show an FH-97 takng part in the rehearsals for the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3322417/china-poised-lead-world-combat-ready-loyal-wingman-fh-97-stealth-drone?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3322417/china-poised-lead-world-combat-ready-loyal-wingman-fh-97-stealth-drone?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 01:00:19 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taiwan is moving to buy nearly 50,000 drones over the next two years as it seeks to bolster its asymmetric combat capabilities against mounting military pressure from Beijing. The move comes as the island’s military prepares to classify unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as consumables to accelerate procurement – a policy that mirrors a recent shift by the United States. According to a recent tender notice published on the Taiwanese government’s procurement website, the defence ministry’s Armaments... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3322406/treat-drones-bullets-taiwan-seeks-50000-new-uavs-over-two-years-boost-defences?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3322406/treat-drones-bullets-taiwan-seeks-50000-new-uavs-over-two-years-boost-defences?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 12:12:27 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen From Nigerian raids on Boko Haram hideouts to Saudi strikes at Houthi positions along the shores of the Red Sea; from Pakistani sorties across the Iranian frontier to Libyan missiles in the civil war, one constant presence emerges – China’s Wing Loong-2 (WL-2), showcasing the reach of Chinese drone technology across multiple conflict zones. At the same time, a variant of the same platform – the GJ-2 or “Attack 2” – is conducting live-fire exercises around Taiwan and patrolling the South China... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3321451/chinas-wing-loong-2-multi-role-uav-workhorse-overseas-advantage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3321451/chinas-wing-loong-2-multi-role-uav-workhorse-overseas-advantage?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Aug 2025 01:00:13 +0000 Enoch Wong Enoch Wong In an unprecedented show of China’s advanced civilian drone technology, a swarm of heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has carried 180 tonnes of construction materials up a remote mountain in the country’s southwest, according to state media. State broadcaster CCTV reported last Thursday that the aerial operation had taken place in May at a solar power project in Xichou county in Yunnan province, where rugged karst terrain and cliffs made traditional transport difficult. The feat drew... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3319460/chinese-drones-carry-180-tonnes-steel-and-concrete-mountain-pioneering-feat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3319460/chinese-drones-carry-180-tonnes-steel-and-concrete-mountain-pioneering-feat?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Jul 2025 11:00:09 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang Three military analysts have called for structural changes within the People’s Liberation Army to counter the growing threat of drone attacks. Writing in the PLA Daily, the experts said it was highly likely that the Chinese military would establish specialised counter-drone combat units capable of “rapid responses” to unmanned threats while addressing the inefficiencies of multitasked traditional units. Drones have played an increasingly crucial role in recent regional conflicts, including the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3316956/chinas-military-will-need-structural-change-fend-drone-threats-experts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3316956/chinas-military-will-need-structural-change-fend-drone-threats-experts?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Jul 2025 15:00:08 +0000 Eric Ng Eric Ng HiTS (Shanghai) Hydrogen Power Technology, which aims to be the BYD of commercial drones powered by hydrogen fuel cells, plans to set up research and assembly operations in Hong Kong to serve international markets, according to its chief financial officer. Just as the world’s leading electric-vehicle maker BYD also makes EV batteries, HiTS has expertise in both hydrogen fuel cells and drones that use those power sources, CFO Ben Lin said on Monday. The company called on the Hong Kong government... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3311155/chinese-hydrogen-powered-drone-maker-hits-eyes-hong-kong-research-overseas-sales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3311155/chinese-hydrogen-powered-drone-maker-hits-eyes-hong-kong-research-overseas-sales?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 May 2025 00:30:08 +0000 Yujie Xue Yujie Xue Flying taxis could be used for public transport within the next five years on the mainland, according to a senior executive of Chinese passenger drone maker EHang Holdings. “I believe that by 2030, China will likely have fixed-route air shuttle services,” chief financial officer Conor Yang said in an interview on Tuesday. “It’s also possible that in some cities, with sufficient infrastructure such as take-off and landing points, air taxi services could emerge.” The Nasdaq-listed developer of... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3311216/chinese-drone-maker-ehang-sees-flying-taxis-take-2030-mainland?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3311216/chinese-drone-maker-ehang-sees-flying-taxis-take-2030-mainland?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 May 2025 23:30:08 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Police will launch drone patrols in the force’s Kowloon West region and Hong Kong’s northern border area on Friday, with 700 officers and about 30 sets of unmanned aircraft ready to be deployed. Superintendent Tango Ko Chung-ying of the force’s key points and search division said patrols would be rolled out under a pilot scheme for three months to evaluate operations. He added that the force aimed to conduct automatic drone patrols on The Peak and Cheung Chau by the end of this year at the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3311130/police-launch-drone-patrols-hong-kong-urban-areas-friday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3311130/police-launch-drone-patrols-hong-kong-urban-areas-friday?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 May 2025 00:30:10 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow The Myanmar junta’s growing use of advanced drones – many supplied by China and Russia – has intensified its campaign against resistance forces, shifting the momentum on the battlefield and inflicting rising civilian casualties, analysts say. While the military’s gains remain limited, experts warn that the deployment of infrared and night-vision-equipped drones has raised the cost of the rebellion, as foreign-made technology bolsters a regime once seen as losing ground on multiple... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3311143/myanmar-juntas-drones-china-russia-tilt-balance-war-against-resistance-forces?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3311143/myanmar-juntas-drones-china-russia-tilt-balance-war-against-resistance-forces?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 May 2025 00:13:59 +0000 Hayley Wong Hayley Wong China’s “drone carrier” Jiu Tian will take off for its first mission by the end of June, laying the groundwork for expanding the Chinese air force’s operational reach in unmanned aerial combat. Chinese media reports at the weekend commented on the coming launch, and state broadcaster CCTV confirmed the mission on Monday. The first mission flight will mark the beginning of a series of tests before the “drone mother ship” UAV is deployed by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Jiu Tian – or “high... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3310879/china-extend-combat-range-uavs-jiu-tian-drone-carrier-prepares-first-mission?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3310879/china-extend-combat-range-uavs-jiu-tian-drone-carrier-prepares-first-mission?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 May 2025 06:08:56 +0000 Stephen Chen Stephen Chen Wind tunnel tests conducted by Chinese scientists have shown significant advances in plasma excitation technology that can significantly enhance the aerodynamic performance of high-altitude drones, enabling them to fly a lot longer than before. The study found that plasma generated by high-voltage currents could boost an aircraft wing’s lift-to-drag ratio by nearly 88 per cent – a critical metric where higher values indicate superior flight efficiency. “This technology holds potential for... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3310757/chinas-plasma-drive-can-nearly-double-high-altitude-drone-efficiency-study-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3310757/chinas-plasma-drive-can-nearly-double-high-altitude-drone-efficiency-study-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 May 2025 12:00:08 +0000 Victoria Bela Victoria Bela A Chinese student’s microdrone has set a Guinness World Record in southern China while racing through the air at the speed of a high-speed train. The Prowess microdrone, weighing less than 250 grams (8.8 ounces), reached 340.78km/h (211.75mph), setting a world record for remote-controlled microdrone quadcopters. The record was broken by model aircraft enthusiast Xu Yang on March 23 in Huizhou, Guangdong province, according to a WeChat post by Guinness World Records on Monday. According to... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3310463/chinese-student-xu-yang-breaks-impossible-microdrone-world-speed-record?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3310463/chinese-student-xu-yang-breaks-impossible-microdrone-world-speed-record?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:08 +0000 Enoch Wong Enoch Wong The US Air Force has started ground tests of its new AI-driven combat drones, intensifying its technological rivalry with China as the two countries race to develop unmanned weapons systems that can work alongside crewed aircraft. The US Air Force announced on Thursday that trials for the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A drones, developed by US-based defence firms General Atomics and Anduril respectively, had started. The prototypes are the first unmanned aircraft in US military history to receive fighter... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3309244/us-tests-ai-driven-combat-drones-it-competes-china-develop-loyal-wingmen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3309244/us-tests-ai-driven-combat-drones-it-competes-china-develop-loyal-wingmen?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 May 2025 12:00:09 +0000 Jeoffrey Maitem Jeoffrey Maitem A drill on the use of cutting-edge microwave weapons to disable drone swarms during a joint defence exercise involving the United States and the Philippines is seen as a strategic signal by the allies to step up efforts in tackling unmanned military threats in the contested South China Sea. Conducted on April 28 as part of the annual Balikatan joint exercises, the trials involved two advanced counter-drone systems: the high-powered microwave component of the integrated fires protection... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3309261/philippines-us-drone-drill-signals-rising-threat-south-china-sea-unmanned-weapons?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3309261/philippines-us-drone-drill-signals-rising-threat-south-china-sea-unmanned-weapons?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 May 2025 08:55:34 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Sudan’s paramilitary unleashed drones on the Red Sea city of Port Sudan early Tuesday, hitting key targets there, including the airport, the port and a hotel, military officials said. The barrage was the second such attack this week on a city that had been a hub for people fleeing Sudan’s two-year war. There was no immediate word on any casualties or the extent of the damage. Local media reported loud sound of explosions and fires at the port and the airport. Footage circulating online showed... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3309229/drones-strike-key-targets-port-sudan-civil-war-rages?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3309229/drones-strike-key-targets-port-sudan-civil-war-rages?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 May 2025 07:11:10 +0000 Andrew Lam Siu-Lo Andrew Lam Siu-Lo Coldplay’s recent concerts at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium sparked a wave of excitement – but for bassist Guy Berryman, the city’s allure extended beyond the stage. After the shows, he explored Hong Kong’s natural beauty, including hiking the renowned Dragon’s Back trail – reflecting the popularity of the city’s mountain-and-sea scenery among global travellers. How can Hong Kong improve as a world-class hiking destination? One promising solution lies in deploying drones to improve trail safety... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3308956/drones-can-take-hong-kong-hiking-experience-new-heights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3308956/drones-can-take-hong-kong-hiking-experience-new-heights?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 May 2025 01:30:10 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Russian authorities on Monday said defence forces had repelled four drones heading towards Moscow, days before foreign leaders were due to gather for a military parade on the capital’s Red Square. Defence forces in the district of Podolsk “repelled an attack of four drones flying towards Moscow”, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in a post on Telegram. There were no initial reports of damage or casualties at the site where the debris had fallen, Sobyanin said, adding that emergency services... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3309070/russia-repels-drones-flying-towards-moscow-days-red-square-military-parade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3309070/russia-repels-drones-flying-towards-moscow-days-red-square-military-parade?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 May 2025 05:03:58 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau With Hong Kong’s colourful drone shows becoming an attraction for tourists, operators have said the city can fly high by staging performances with more than 9,000 of them, displaying fireworks and laser lights, and using more venues to boost the economy. Drone providers also expressed hope that the government would draw on their experience and relax laws to allow the budding industry to fully exploit technological capabilities, as the first batch of pilot drone projects were recently selected to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3309032/hong-kong-drone-operators-want-less-red-tape-stage-bigger-shows-expand-uses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3309032/hong-kong-drone-operators-want-less-red-tape-stage-bigger-shows-expand-uses?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 May 2025 02:00:27 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Pakistan’s military shot down an Indian drone along the de facto Kashmir border, state radio in Islamabad reported on Tuesday, a week after the deadliest attack on civilians in the contested region in years. The Indian army also said that both sides exchanged fire for a fifth straight night along The Line of Control (LoC), a heavily fortified zone of high-altitude Himalayan outposts. There was no immediate confirmation from Pakistan on the exchange of fire, but state broadcaster Radio Pakistan... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3308331/kashmir-gunfire-persists-pakistan-flags-immediate-war-threat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3308331/kashmir-gunfire-persists-pakistan-flags-immediate-war-threat?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Apr 2025 06:02:23 +0000 Enoch Wong Enoch Wong China’s military is rapidly deploying cutting-edge AI-powered drones that are low-cost and agile on the battlefield, as it races to gain an edge in the modern warfare technology. One of the latest – a micro drone that looks like a thermal flask and weighs less than a kilogram – was featured on state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday. The micro drone is the first of its kind and is designed for use across the People’s Liberation Army infantry units, according to the report. It said the drone’s coaxial... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3308152/chinas-military-rapidly-expands-use-low-cost-ai-powered-drones-phased-leap?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3308152/chinas-military-rapidly-expands-use-low-cost-ai-powered-drones-phased-leap?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:00:09 +0000 Agencies Agencies Russia launched a sweeping drone assault and air strikes across Ukraine early Sunday, killing at least four people, officials said, after US President Donald Trump cast doubt over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to end the war. Three people died and four were wounded in strikes on Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, the regional prosecutor’s office said. Another person died and a 14-year-old girl was wounded in a drone attack on the city of Pavlohrad in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3308108/trump-doubts-putins-peace-plan-russia-launches-drone-attack?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3308108/trump-doubts-putins-peace-plan-russia-launches-drone-attack?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Apr 2025 12:22:12 +0000