32 h. ago As the PLA adopts civilian technology, Chinese bureaucracy could hinder progress

For decades, China’s talk of letting the private sector bid for defence orders had mostly been just that: talk. State-owned conglomerates had dominated the sector for decades, but in the middle of 2016, Beijing started to step up its military-civilian fusion strategy, publishing an official list of the sectors where private firms were being encouraged to contribute, such as swarming drone technologies. The plan is a central pillar of China’s ambition to develop a modernised military by 2035 and...

Politics

69 h. ago China’s top drone maker DJI comes down to earth with launch of robotic cleaner

Chinese drone giant DJI is expected to launch a vacuum cleaning robot in a move set to intensify competition in the country’s crowded robotic cleaner market, according to a report by the state-backed financial newspaper China Securities Journal, citing internal sources. Shenzhen-based DJI will introduce a combination vacuum cleaner and mopping robot this month, a project that has been under development over the past four years, according to the report. The product is called DJI ROMO, according...

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5 d. ago Trump moves to block foreign drone makers from selling new models in US

US President Donald Trump has signed executive orders meant to rebuild America’s drone industry, tighten airspace security and boost military readiness, potentially squeezing Chinese manufacturers like DJI and Autel Robotics out of the market. “Immediate action is needed to ensure American sovereignty over its skies,” Trump stated in one of the orders, warning that foreign-made drones were “endangering the public” and compromising critical infrastructure. The orders also call for federal...

Politics

5 d. ago Philippines aims to counter China’s drone swarm capacity, learn from Ukraine war

The Philippine military is ramping up efforts to enhance its drone offensive capabilities and countermeasures amid growing concerns over China potentially using waves of such unmanned aircraft to assert its claims in contested waters. As part of this push, Philippine and US forces recently tested high-powered microwave weapons during the Balikatan 2025 exercises, designed to neutralise so-called drone swarms. The Philippine military has also begun using Israeli-made intelligence, surveillance...

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7 d. ago China helps Russia pull ahead in lethal drone war race with Ukraine

China helps Russia pull ahead in lethal drone war race with Ukraine  politico.eu

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9 d. ago Taiwan to test kamikaze sea drone to ‘support coastal assault operations’

Taiwan is planning to test a home-made kamikaze sea drone later this month as it seeks to boost its naval defences in the face of growing pressure from mainland China. The vessel – developed under the code name “Kuai Chi Project” by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), Taiwan’s top weapons developer – will undergo combat capability evaluations later this month before further tests later this year, a military source said on Monday. “If all goes according to plan,...

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1 week ago China сuts drone sales to Ukraine, West but continues supplying Russia, Bloomberg reports

China сuts drone sales to Ukraine, West but continues supplying Russia, Bloomberg reports  The Kyiv Independent

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1 week ago China has developed the largest drone carrier in the world — and it's getting ready for takeoff

China has developed the largest drone carrier in the world — and it's getting ready for takeoff  Live Science

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1 week ago China Cut Drone Sales to West But Supplies Them to Russia, Ukraine Says

China Cut Drone Sales to West But Supplies Them to Russia, Ukraine Says  Bloomberg.com

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2 w. ago Hong Kong’s Tai Lam Tunnel to close for 2 hours on Saturday for HKeToll launch

Hong Kong’s Tai Lam Tunnel will be closed for two hours on Saturday when authorities install an electronic toll payment system, as the government resumes control of the major thoroughfare and introduces time-varying fees aimed at easing congestion. Patrick Ho Kwong-hang, a deputy commissioner for transport, on Wednesday praised the development. “What does the end of the franchise of the Tai Lam Tunnel and the implementation of the HKeToll system represent? It represents that the traffic...

Politics

2 w. ago China relaxes rare earth curbs to avert drone industry slowdown: DigiTimes

China relaxes rare earth curbs to avert drone industry slowdown: DigiTimes  Mining.com

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2 w. ago China eases rare earth curbs, drone makers to resume shipments

China eases rare earth curbs, drone makers to resume shipments  digitimes

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3 w. ago Chinese drone maker EHang sees flying taxis take off by 2030 on the mainland

EHang, which is conducting trials in Guangzhou and Hefei, will offer services in restricted corridors in these two cities by year-end.

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3 w. ago Chinese drone maker EHang sees regular flying taxi services by 2030

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...

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3 w. ago China's drone mothership: Weapons aircraft with 82ft wingspan can fly for 12 hours and 'launch 100 kamikaze UA

China's drone mothership: Weapons aircraft with 82ft wingspan can fly for 12 hours and 'launch 100 kamikaze UA  Daily Mail

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3 w. ago China’s new ‘drone mothership’ draws online ridicule: ‘Big, Slow, and not Stealthy’

China’s new ‘drone mothership’ draws online ridicule: ‘Big, Slow, and not Stealthy’  New York Post

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3 w. ago China's new 'drone mothership' expected to launch within days

China's new 'drone mothership' expected to launch within days  Euronews.com

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3 w. ago China's new 'drone mothership' expected to launch for first test flight within days

China's new 'drone mothership' expected to launch for first test flight within days  Euronews

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3 w. ago China to extend combat range of UAVs as Jiu Tian drone carrier prepares for first mission

Aircraft has 7,000km range and can release up to 100 units of loitering ammunition or small drones, including kamikaze UAVs.

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3 w. ago Jiu Tian drone carrier set to extend China’s UAV combat range

Jiu Tian drone carrier set to extend China’s UAV combat range  South China Morning Post

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