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Drones

Drones
The latest news, analysis and opinion on drones, especially Chinese drone makers and drone usage.
last updated:
21 November, 2024
A sign is seen at the entrance to the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office building in Karlsruhe in June 2019. Photo: dpa
Germany

Germany charges 3 with spying on naval tech for China

They allegedly gathered information on boat engines, sonar, drones and other technologies and illegally exported specialised lasers to China.

US-China relations

US adds Tencent, CATL to list of Chinese firms said to help Beijing’s military

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Ukraine war

Russia says it captures ‘important logistics hub’ in eastern Ukraine

US-China relations

US considers rule that could restrict or ban drones with Chinese tech

Chinese, Russian threats may ‘offer our adversaries the ability to remotely access and manipulate these devices’, says Commerce Department.

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The US is considering a rule to address risks posed by drones that include technology from China or Russia. Photo: AP
US-China relations

China slaps dual-use export ban on 28 US defence contractors

Ministry of Commerce announces move on Thursday, with 10 of the firms also placed on unreliable entities list over Taiwan arms sales.

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The Philippines

Philippines recovers suspected Chinese submarine drone from sea

Police said the device marked ‘HY-119’ can be used for monitoring and reconnaissance.

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China manufacturing

China’s drones reignite firework industry after years-long decline

As bans on traditional fireworks become more common in China, the industry is capitalising on the growing popularity of drone shows and shifting to ‘cold fireworks’.

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Thousands of spectators gathered to watch drones and fireworks light up the sky over the Liuyang Sky Theatre in Liuyang, Hunan province, on Saturday. Photo: Getty Images
DJI

Chinese drone maker DJI plans global headquarters in Shenzhen’s new city centre

DJI is seeking to acquire a 15,658-square-metre plot inside the Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Base.

Transport and logistics

The sky as a canvas: a visual guide to the artistry and science of drone shows

Explore the mesmerising world of drone shows with this comprehensive infographic.

Science

China rolls out world’s first military-proof 5G that can connect 10,000 robots

A mobile communications system that can move through complex terrains has been developed by Chinese scientists.

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A groundbreaking mobile 5G base station for military applications has been created by Chinese scientists. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
United States

Editorial | US drones hysteria calls for calm heads

Despite clear explanations, mysterious sightings over New Jersey have been linked to China and even an Iranian mother ship.

Mysterious sightings of drones over parts of the United States have stirred public concern throughout the nation. One Republican congressman suggested the sightings were tied to China or Chinese who had entered the US illegally. Photo: TNS
US-China relations

Beijing sanctions 7 firms in response to latest US support of Taiwan

The move follows US President Joe Biden’s approval of Pentagon’s 2025 budget, which includes several measures to bolster Taipei.

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China's military weapons

China’s military tests remote 3D printed parts for the battlefield: report

US uses similar tactics as it aids Ukrainian frontline soldiers from a maintenance site in Poland, American military paper says.

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Hong Kong police

Editorial | Hong Kong police drones expected to meet high standards

Privacy issues need to be addressed as the Hong Kong force seeks to make greater use of the unmanned aircraft.

Hong Kong police are to start using drones for patrols and to collect images for artificial intelligence analysis, regulations permitting. Photo: May Tse
US-China relations

New Chinese fighter jet seen over Chengdu tacitly confirmed by military

Mysterious aircraft bearing triangular tailless design sparks speculation it has cutting-edge stealth and endurance capabilities.

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Images of a new stealth fighter jet, which is believed to be a sixth-generation fighter jet, circulating on social media. Photo: SCMP
Kazakhstan

Azerbaijan believes missile downed plane, Russia warns against ‘hypotheses’

38 people died in Wednesday’s crash in Kazakhstan. Azerbaijani source said Baku expects Russia ‘to confess’ to shooting down the plane.

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Aviation accidents

Azerbaijani plane crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 38 and injuring 29

The aircraft, which was carrying 67 people, was diverted from an area of Russia that Moscow recently defended against Ukrainian drones.

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United States

Saturday Night Live takes on New Jersey’s ‘mystery drones’ in Bowen Yang skit

Show’s first Chinese-American comedian appeared in skit as part of SNL’s final episode of 2024, a nod to mysterious drone sightings in US.

Saturday Night Live’s Bowen Yang. Photo: Getty Images / TNS
United States

US bans drone flights over parts of New Jersey, New York after mystery sightings

A frenzy of concern about drones is prompting people to point lasers at planes flying overhead, which is illegal and can be dangerous.

US-China relations

US lawmaker says China or its citizens could be tied to recent drone sightings

Pentagon and Homeland Security’s claim that no evidence of foreign entity or criminal activity ‘means they don’t know what it is’, he adds.

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United States

Trump, White House spar over mystery US drone sightings

US President-elect Donald Trump says the US military is keeping the public in ‘suspense’ on drones.

Points of light in the evening sky in Lebanon Township, New Jersey on December 5. Photo: Trisha Bushey via AP
United States

US should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says

US government plays down drone sightings as a non-threat as video footage of mysterious airborne phenomena clogs social media.

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Points of light in the evening sky in Lebanon Township, New Jersey on December 5. Photo: Trisha Bushey via AP
Science

Chinese laser scientist ‘Crazy Li’ arms small drones with metal-cutting beam

Researchers have developed a new device which will enable small drones to shoot powerful lasers – something once thought impossible.

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United States

Recent ‘drone’ sightings are manned aircraft and not a threat: US officials

No evidence to date of any foreign-based involvement in incidents over New Jersey and other states.

Low-altitude economy

Opinion | Hong Kong should look before it leaps into low-altitude economy

We must not start spending taxpayers’ money until we know what we truly need from the low-altitude economy and the goals we intend to achieve.

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A drone delivering seafood takes off from a pier in Shenzhen on February 5. Photo: Xinhua
Ukraine war

Russia targets Ukraine with massive attack of cruise missiles and drones

Ukraine’s energy system has suffered numerus Russian attack waves this year.

People take shelter inside a Kyiv metro station during a Russian strike on Friday. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

EU-China agenda stalls under Trump’s long shadow

Holding pattern could break next week as EU decides if China crossed red line in arming Russia, a move that would force Beijing to respond.

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United States

Mystery drones in New Jersey should be ‘shot down, if necessary’: US senator

Unexplained drone sightings above New Jersey have left locals rattled and sent US officials scrambling for answers.

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