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Drones

Drones
The latest news, analysis and opinion on drones, especially Chinese drone makers and drone usage.
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth gives a State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30 in Quantico, Virginia. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
Artificial intelligence

Opinion | Can US-China AI talks keep autonomous weapons within bounds?

Rapid military AI development makes agreed limits on mission scopes, operational areas and target parameters an urgent priority.

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Ukraine war

Russian strikes kill 24 across Ukraine after Zelensky warning

Ukraine war

Ukraine attacks Moscow region with 650 drones as both sides step up strikes

Hong Kong society

Authorities investigate viral drone footage of National Day fireworks display

Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department investigating suspected illegal drone flight over Victoria Harbour after mainland Chinese visitor posts fireworks footage.

A mainland Chinese visitor has posted online drone footage of the National Day fireworks display. Photo: Elson Li
Ukraine war

Russia shared jet-drone technology with North Korea, says Ukraine’s Zelensky

The Ukrainian president on Sunday said Russia shared the technology ‘because North Korea helped them with missiles’.

Ukraine war

Russia strikes Kyiv bridge as Germany’s Merz visits, pledges aid

Merz and Zelensky were due to meet as Germany and Ukraine neared a deal for a new package of military support worth more than US$1 billion.

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China military reform

China sets up new military academy colleges for AI, drones and discipline

Restructured academies aim to build a technical workforce and strengthen the anti-corruption push across China’s military.

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As China’s military works towards its centennial goals, Beijing has established several institutions to teach engineering and hi-tech skills, drone-related expertise and professional training for future discipline inspectors. Photo: Xinhua
DJI

US and China ‘neck-and-neck’ in drone patent quality despite China’s volume lead

The market for civil unmanned aerial systems is expected to add up to a total of US$150 billion in the period from 2023 to 2032.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine scrambles as Russia’s jet drones breach Kyiv’s defences

Daily strikes turn the Ukrainian capital into frontline city as Moscow deploys high-speed drones.

Russia

Estonia blames Russia for arson attack on company supplying vehicles to Ukraine

Moscow has been accused by Western officials of carrying out sabotage acts to undermine support for Ukraine and destabilise European nations.

Unmanned ground vehicles take part in Ukraine’s first-ever drone parade marking the country’s Independence Day on Khreshchatyk street in Kyiv on August 24 amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Photo: Handout/Reuters
Russia

Putin orders 15,500 additional troops for Russian army

Expansion brings Russia’s armed forces to 2.44 million personnel, including 1.55 million active servicemen.

Russian soldiers march in Moscow’s Red Square. Photo: AP
US-China trade war

As US weighs tighter curbs on foreign drones, could Chinese makers lose ground?

Proposed measures could affect future imports and sales as Washington pushes to build alternatives to Chinese supply chains.

Ukraine war

Russian drones kill 5 across Ukraine, including market outside Kyiv

Zelensky accuses Moscow of terrorism after strikes hit Kyiv outskirts, Sumy and Kharkiv infrastructure.

UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles)

Eyeing Ukraine, China’s military doctors voice progress on drone-caused injuries

Head, face and neck injuries are becoming a big problem in armed conflicts dominated by uncrewed aerial vehicles.

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The rising number of cranio-maxillofacial injuries has prompted changes to military medical treatment protocols around the world. Photo: Shutterstock
Low-altitude economy

Low-altitude sector hits turbulence in China’s Hangzhou as subsidies face repeal

Hangzhou tech hub looks to end financial incentives for development of light aerial vehicles, including eVTOLs, signalling more optimised regulations after June crash.

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A visitor exits an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in China’s Hubei province earlier this year. Photo: Xinhua
Russia

Putin’s party retains power in Russian vote marked by massive drone attack

Electoral chief says results show United Russia – dominating for 25 years – won 355 of the Duma’s 450 seats, the party’s highest ever.

Donald Trump

Trump says his big arch would be a ‘military complex’ with drones and snipers

US president claims massive monument will store ammunition as critics call national security framing a legal pretext.

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DJI

China’s Insta360 opens first US flagship store in New York’s Times Square

Action camera maker Insta360 is opening a New York City flagship as it navigates price wars with DJI, soaring memory costs.

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Insta360 is a competitor to DJI in the drone and action-camera market. Photo: Handout
China's military weapons

Could mystery Shanghai vessel be a mothership for China’s underwater drones?

Satellite images show an unusual craft under construction that analysts say may be designed to deploy very large uncrewed submarines.

Indonesia

Pride or practicality? Indonesia welcomes first aircraft carrier

Jakarta has approved US$450 million for the aircraft carrier programme but some lawmakers warn the final bill could be higher.

US, Israel war on Iran

US pivot leaves Saudi Arabia with ‘humiliating dilemma’ over Houthis

Riyadh is now working frantically to build a coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea and defend the kingdom against Houthi attacks.

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Firefighters inspect damage to a building caused by falling debris from a reported Houthi drone intercepted over Taif province, western Saudi Arabia, on Thursday. Photo: Saudi Press Agency / AP
North Korea

Russia employs North Koreans to build drones for Ukraine war: report

The move shows how military ties have expanded beyond weapons and troops into labour and industrial production, the report says.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) meets scientists, researchers and officials from key national defence research institutions in Pyongyang on August 29. Photo: KCNA / Reuters
China-Middle East relations

China affirms support for Iran, but warns against Yemen spillover

In talks with his Iranian counterpart in Beijing, Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls on Tehran and Washington to stay rational.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US military fires on boats attempting to capture sailing drone off Iran

Central Command confirms engagement off Iranian coast as Tehran claims vessels were local fishing craft.

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.

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
Ukraine war

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

Kyiv demands genuine commitment from Moscow as Trump claims deal to halt refinery and grid attacks.

epa13178801 Cars line up at a Gazprom Neft gas station in Moscow, Russia, 19 August 2026. Sales limitations on fuel at some gas stations come as a result of repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure. EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV
Low-altitude economy

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

Fast-food orders will soar through the Shanghai sky, quickly reaching designated kiosks along the West Bund, offering a new way to collect meals.

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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