Thread by @andymok

"China's Drone Dominance: How Beijing is Challenging the US"
#ChinaDrones #DroneWarfare #GlobalCompetition

A thread

1/ President Xi Jinping has declared that drones are capable of "profoundly changing war scenarios" and pledged to speed up the development of unmanned, intelligent combat capabilities.

2/ China is dominating the global market for combat drones, thanks to a state-funded effort to bring the country's armed forces to "world class standards."

3/ China's drones are not only cheaper but also similar in design and capabilities to American-made drones like the MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator.

4/ The CH-4 and the Wing Loong 2 are estimated to cost between $1m and $2m, while the Reaper costs $16m and the Predator $4m, making them more attractive to global buyers.

5/ Chinese companies are pushing the boundaries of drone technology with the Wing Loong 2 and 3, which are faster and capable of carrying a greater weapons payload than their American counterparts.

6/ Chinese systems may be less expensive and less capable in some areas, but for many purchasing states, the capability offered is good enough.

7/ These sales not only generate revenue but also serve as technology demonstrators to bolster domestic ingenuity. #ChinaTech

8/ Local industries work on these projects to enhance their proofing, developmental and manufacturing capacities. #DomesticGrowth

9/ However, once the concept has viability, China has been shown to rapidly mature the platform for induction into the armed forces. #RapidDevelopment

10/ A recent example is the unveiling of the Wing Loong 10 UAV at an air show in Zhuhai. The PLA's Air Force unveiled the drone in its own colors, suggesting it has entered service. #WingLoong10

11/ Development of this UAV has gone from concept stage to potential induction in just six years, showcasing China's efficiency in advancing their military technology. #Efficiency

12/ For China, the use of its drones by other countries provide valuable feedback to fine tune the equipment's capabilities. #RealWorldTesting

13/ As China's drone industry continues to soar, it's worth keeping an eye on how it will shake up the global market and the competition with the US.

Based on @AJEnglish piece by @ZaheenaR here: aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/24…