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Drones

Drones
The latest news, analysis and opinion on drones, especially Chinese drone makers and drone usage.
A drone on display at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, southern China. Photo: Xinhua
China's military weapons

Massed drone deployments part of military modernisation: China’s PLA Daily

Article urges innovative use of unmanned systems and highlights their ‘decisive and dominant’ role in future conflicts.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine receives more than 1,200 fallen soldiers’ bodies from Russia

DJI

DJI launches US$10,000 enterprise drone that can avoid power lines at night

Thailand

Thailand’s Pattaya deploys AI drones as cries grow to tackle rising crime

The drones will be linked to a centralised AI database so they can scan faces in crowds and pick out criminals and visa overstayers.

Dozens of drones swarm the sky. Pattaya authorities are planning to deploy drones to fight crime in the city. Photo: Shutterstock
Ukraine war

Kyiv rocked by one of Ukraine war’s largest Russian air attacks

Russian missiles and drones strike the capital and Odesa, including maternity ward.

Ukraine war

Ukraine bombarded by deadly Russian strikes as peace talks falter

At least four people were killed and dozens more injured in attacks targeting Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city.

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US-China relations

Trump moves to block foreign drone makers from selling new models in US

Major Chinese firms like DJI and Autel Robotics potentially squeezed out of America’s commercial market under executive orders.

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A drone quadcopter, named for its four rotors, made by DJI, a leading Chinese manufacturer of such unmanned aerial vehicles. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong police

Hong Kong police launch first drone patrols in urban areas

Unmanned aerial vehicles can inspect an area the size of 13 football pitches in 25 minutes.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s food delivery scene soars with drone services to Ma On Shan

Keeta starts delivering orders from two fast-food restaurants in Science Park to Ma On Shan Promenade.

The Philippines

Philippines aims to counter China’s drone swarm capacity, learn from Ukraine war

Its military says drones armed with explosives or used for surveillance have become a focus of joint exercises with allies such as the US.

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A US navy drone positioned beside a Philippine C130 plane at the airport of Zamboanga, southern Philippines on Tuesday. Photo: AP
Ukraine war

Russia unleashes deadly strikes on Ukraine in response to ‘terrorism’

Capital city Kyiv among targets, as massive aerial barrage leaves at least four dead, including emergency responders, and wounds dozens, including doctors.

An explosion in Kyiv after a fatal Russian air strike on Friday. Photo: AP
Ukraine war

In Trump call, Putin vows retaliation for Ukraine attacks on Russia airfields

The presidents also discussed the Middle East conflict and how Moscow could help deal with Iran and its nuclear programme.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine says it attacked Crimean Bridge, as Russia halts traffic

Kyiv’s agents detonated mines on underwater supports, targeting a key transport link between the annexed peninsula and the Russian mainland.

Ukraine war

Russia contends with drone damage to strategic arsenal as Ukraine’s reach grows

Ukraine’s unprecedented drone strike on airbases deep inside Russia showcases its advanced capabilities.

In this image taken from video released June 1, 2025, by a source in the Ukrainian security services, shows a Ukrainian drone striking Russian planes deep in Russia’s territory. Photo: SBU via AP
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Drone use by police in Hong Kong welcome as long as safeguards in place

If privacy and safety concerns are properly addressed, there is no reason why Hong Kong should not expand the use of unmanned aircraft for purposes including law enforcement.

Police are launching drone patrols in parts of Hong Kong. Photo: Sun Yeung
Ukraine war

Ukraine strikes Russian airbases in long-range drone assault on eve of talks

Ukraine said it damaged US$7 billion worth of Russian aircraft parked at four airbases in ‘operation Spider’s Web’.

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Artificial intelligence

China’s smart cities are streets ahead, but same challenges apply the world over

Data handling concerns and a lack of community engagement are addressed in different ways, with Beijing district a model, analysts said.

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Middle East

Israel hits Houthi targets including last plane at Yemen’s Sanaa airport

The airport, Yemen’s largest, was mainly being used by UN aircraft and the plane destroyed in the latest Israeli strikes.

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People inspect the damage at Sanaa International Airport in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on May 7, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Science

China’s next-gen turbine blade promises supercharged jet power

Thermotolerant jet engine blade is designed for more thrust and fuel efficiency, strengthening China’s aviation self-reliance.

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Ukraine war

Trump says Putin ‘playing with fire’ as he weighs sanctions over Ukraine war

The US president says ‘really bad things’ would already have happened to Russia if not for him, as he shows frustration with stalled talks.

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Ukraine war

Russia planning new Ukraine offensive after record drone strikes, Zelensky says

Russia fired 355 drones including decoys between Sunday night and early Monday, in the largest drone attack of the invasion.

Ukrainian recruits training ahead of deployment. Photo: 65th Mechanized Brigade via EPA-EFE
Ukraine war

Russia, Ukraine complete prisoner swap after Moscow launches aerial assault

Russia’s Defence Ministry said each side exchanged 303 soldiers. Hours earlier, at least 12 people were killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine.

Ukrainian prisoner of war Viktor embraces his daughter Milana and wife Iryna as he returns after a prisoner swap in an undisclosed location in Ukraine on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese hydrogen-powered drone maker HiTS eyes Hong Kong as new hub

Company also aiming for a Hong Kong listing in one to two years, chief financial officer says.

China technology

Chinese drone maker EHang sees regular flying taxi services by 2030

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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Crime in Hong Kong

Drones set to take to Hong Kong skies to fight crime from Friday

Superintendent says drones will fly 60 metres above buildings to monitor potential criminal activities.

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Police will launch drone patrols on Friday. Photo: Sun Yeung
US-China relations

US military faces ‘readiness crisis’ to modernise as China advances: Pentagon

Top brass eye speeding up integration of manned and unstaffed systems to overcome shortfalls in shipbuilding, other areas.

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US President Donald Trump stands in front of an MQ-9 Reaper drone before addressing military personnel at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Thursday. Photo: AP
India

Opinion | Rapid escalation of India-Pakistan clashes a warning of new tech dangers

Drones, long-range missiles and related technologies spare soldiers from live combat but also allow conflicts to be escalated in almost no time.

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China's military weapons

7,000km range, 6 tonnes ammunition: the Chinese UAV dubbed ‘high sky’

Super-high altitude UAV with 7,000km range and ability to release up to 100 units of small drones will take off on first mission by June-end.

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