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Drones

Drones
The latest news, analysis and opinion on drones, especially Chinese drone makers and drone usage.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stand guard holding less-lethal weapons as protesters gather outside Delaney Hall, which is being used as an ICE detention center, in Newark, New Jersey, in June. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS
US-China relations

ICE death, AI military strike proposal, Huawei trial: 7 US-China relations reads

From a drone ban to birth tourism, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in the first half of September 2026.

Ukraine war

Ukraine says ready for ‘de-escalatory steps’ if Russia does same

Low-altitude economy

Big Macs from above: Meituan and McDonald’s launch drone delivery in Shanghai

China’s Communist Party

Beijing puts a total ban on drones in update to regulations after deadly crash

China’s capital will enforce the country’s toughest rules on UAVs from November 15 but a no-fly zone will be in effect from Sunday.

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UAVs will be banned entirely throughout the Beijing metropolitan area, in a response to the incident in June when a small aircraft damaged the Citic Tower, also known as China Zun. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Poland and Ukraine denounce train strike on route used by foreign dignitaries

Drone attack at Ukraine station 2km from the Polish frontier occurred shortly after visitors – including Boris Johnson – passed through.

Middle East

Houthis hit Saudi base amid renewed fighting with Yemen government forces

The rebels have cemented their hold on the Bab el-Mandab Strait, which has become a key route for oil exports after Iran’s Hormuz blockade.

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European Union

Bulgaria probes explosion at weapon storage site

The facility is run by a Bulgarian arms trader whose facilities have been alleged to be the ⁠target of attacks by Russian operatives.

Fire from an ammunition depot storage of the EMCO company near Tsareva Livada, Bulgaria on Saturday. Photo: AP
China's military weapons

Why PLA’s laser-equipped Type 19 vehicle could matter in a Taiwan conflict

Images appear to show amphibious platform adapted with energy weapon and extra sensors for counter-drone defence.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Saudi pipeline that bypasses Hormuz shut after attacks

The kingdom said the East-West pipeline was targeted by drones launched from Iraq, causing several injuries.

Ukraine war

Opinion | What Ukraine has that Japan and Taiwan lack

Ukraine’s former defence minister is launching a new venture that could offer more than drone technology. Asia should take notes.

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A service member of the 414th Separate Unmanned Strike Aviation System Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces checks an FP-1 deep-strike drone before it launches for a combat mission, in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, in 2026. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

The machines fighting for men on Ukraine’s battlefront

Ukraine’s military deploys experimental unmanned vehicles to assault positions, resupply forces and rescue wounded.

Unmanned ground vehicles roll through central Kyiv during a military display in August. Photo: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service via Reuters
Ukraine war

Canada unveils US$254 million air defence package for Ukraine

Kyiv is ‌running critically low on US-made Patriot interceptors, as Russia steps up its ballistic missile attacks.

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Science

J-50 design team reveals leapfrog tech for China’s next-gen stealth fighters

The aircraft are expected to have futuristic systems for self-flying and large-scale drone wingman squads.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran likely to reverse-engineer captured US underwater drone

The loss represents ‌a propaganda victory for Tehran and an awkward setback for Washington’s efforts to project technological superiority.

A statue stands in front of a billboard featuring a captured US underwater drone with text reading in Persian, ‘Hunting the Hunter’, in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
US-China trade war

US drone ban proposal to halt China’s rise concerns American police, farmers

Fears in US surround banning of Chinese drones used for non-military purposes such as search and rescue, factory inspections and farming.

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DJI products like the Mavic 2 Pro have proven popular in the US. As a result, a US government proposal to restrict foreign-made drones has faced a backlash. Photo: Getty Images
Ukraine war

Ukraine, Moldova play down Norwegian claim Zelensky’s plane ‘almost hit’ by drone

Officials clarify airspace closure delayed Ukrainian leader’s flight to Oslo following Russian drone intrusion.

China-Japan relations

Japan’s China-facing military push tests labour, budget and political limits

Amid ambitious transformation driven by risk it could be drawn into a Taiwan conflict, Tokyo tackles tough obstacles at home, analysts say.

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China's military weapons

Merging air, land and sea swarms – the next frontier in China’s drone technology

CETC says mature formations of similar drones are the foundation for a combat network linking uncrewed assets across domains.

CETC says drone-swarm technology is an intelligent, distributed combat system. Photo: CCTV
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong, Kazakhstan sign MOU on transport lab, discuss low-altitude economy

Kazakh vice-minister Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev says his country envisions connecting mainland tech companies with Hong Kong financial tools.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says captured US underwater drone in Strait of Hormuz

Pentagon plays down the seizure, saying it was an older unmanned vehicle that had malfunctioned.

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China-Japan relations

In Focus | How Japan is digging in to deter – and withstand – a conflict over Taiwan

A planned Hiroshima defence hub highlights how Tokyo is accelerating preparations to sustain its military should a Taiwan crisis reach Japan.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
China's military weapons

Pakistan’s China-made HQ-17AE system to boost drone defence in future India war

Successful integration with other foreign systems by Pakistan would strengthen China’s export case ‘considerably’, analyst notes.

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Pakistan has been revealed to be the fourth foreign operator of the HQ-17 Chinese short-range air-defence (Shorad) system. Photo: CCTV
Shenzhen

BYD cars, DJI drones: Guangdong flexes tech muscles ahead of Apec summit

As Shenzhen prepares to become the third Chinese city to host the Apec meeting, its province has set up media visits to tech firms.

Germany

Germany plans anti-sabotage shield after airport drone attack

A national ‘cyberdome’ would be established, with a network of digital sensors to detect and ‌intercept attempted hacking ‌attacks.

China’s narrative war

Why China is being urged to study Ukraine’s wartime PR blitz in the AI age

Study explores how Kyiv used a series of drone strikes on airbases deep inside Russia as part of its ‘information offensive’.

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Ukraine has used a series of strikes on Russian airbases as part of its information war against Moscow. Photo: EPA-EFE
Ukraine war

How escalating attacks are upending everyday life in Kyiv

Russia is now using more jet-powered drones, which are faster and harder for Ukraine to intercept than propeller-powered models.

People visit a McDonald’s in Kyiv in an area hit by ​​numerous missile attacks. File photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Ukraine’s president warns airlines to avoid ‘drone-infested’ Russian airspace

Zelensky threatens to respond to Moscow’s escalating aerial barrages by crowding its skies with drones.

Germany

Germany blames Russia for attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport

Berlin says it will shut down a Russian consulate and take other actions, citing ‘hybrid attacks’ by Moscow.

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