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Drones

Drones
The latest news, analysis and opinion on drones, especially Chinese drone makers and drone usage.
A Turkey-made Bayraktar Akinci drone. File photo: Reuters
Africa

Algeria shoots down drone near border with Mali as tensions simmer

Algeria and Mali give differing accounts of an unmanned aircraft that went down in their desert border region.

China airliners

Flying taxis: China clears way for first companies to begin offering services

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China's military weapons

AI autonomy and endurance of China’s Rainbow-9 drone to change warfare: analyst

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Taiwan

Taiwan unveils home-built unmanned attack boat inspired by Ukraine drone warfare

Shipbuilder CSBC Corp reveals first indigenous USV but analysts remain concerned about cost and effectiveness against mainland’s PLA.

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CSBC’s Endeavour Manta attack drone boat is made from fibre-reinforced plastic, has a payload capacity exceeding 1 tonne and a top speed of 35 knots. Photo: CNA
Ukraine war

Losing grip on Kursk, Ukraine troops make new incursion into Russia’s Belgorod

Russian war bloggers say there have been heavy clashes with Kyiv’s forces in the region, and each side is hitting the other with drones.

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Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Low-altitude economy can soar if Hong Kong plays to its strengths

The city can leverage its R&D capabilities and regional connectivity while catching up on infrastructure and policy guidance – and act fast.

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Ukraine war

US and Russia hold talks about a potential Ukraine ceasefire

Talks in Saudi Arabia were expected to address a potential pause in Black Sea attacks to ensure safety of commercial shipping.

Ukrainians fire a self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops in Kherson region, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Moscow strikes Kyiv with drones ahead of Saudi ceasefire talks

Russia launched 147 drones, Ukrainian air defences shot down 97 and 25 others did not reach targets due to Ukrainian countermeasures.

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Trials will ensure the low-altitude economy can soar far and high

With the right policy support and regulation, the much-touted benefits of the sector will be unleashed.

US-China relations

Trump unveils plans for secretive F-47 fighter jet, as US eyes China threat

The next-generation aircraft will lead a fleet of drones designed to penetrate the air defences of China and any other potential foes.

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Boeing renderings of the next-generation fighter jet, dubbed the F-47, depict a flat, tailless aircraft with a sharp nose. Image: Boeing
China's military weapons

China’s 6th-gen fighter sighted again as Trump ‘set to announce’ jet contract

China’s massive J-36 purportedly filmed flying solo as Reuters says Trump about to announce US plans for US$20 billion jet to replace F-22.

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China’s sixth-generation stealth fighter has been spotted on another test run. Photo: Weibo/第一军情
Hong Kong science and tech

Hong Kong drone tests for low-altitude economy to follow line-of-sight rule

Transport minister Mable Chan says 38 projects picked for pilot scheme, covering activities such as emergency rescue and parcel delivery.

Hong Kong economy

Food deliveries by drone to take flight in Hong Kong as early as April

One lawmaker also expects authorities to ease civil aviation regulations by October to allow wider usage of commercial drones.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Xpeng says robotics industry will get bigger than automotive sector

Xpeng plans to mass produce humanoid robots and flying cars for the consumer market by the end of next year.

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Workers at an Xpeng factory in Guangdong province. Photo: Xinhua
China technology

My Take | Will AI and robots drive China’s next consumer spending spree?

China is seeking the next ‘big items’ to encourage consumers to open their wallets. Technology looks to be a key.

A humanoid robot seen at an expo in China’s northern city of Tianjin. Photo: Xinhua
Science

DARPA is losing a critical next-gen stealth jet tech race to China: study

As the US works on a new radical design for its latest stealth drone, the project is already lagging far behind China’s.

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China airliners

China tests huge transport drone capable of airlifting over 1 ton of goods

The TP1000, which completed its maiden flight on Saturday, has a larger payload and longer range than any previous unmanned transport aircraft in China.

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Japan

The rattle of Okinawa: Chinese drones probe Japan’s defences

Japan’s air force scrambled jets to shadow the drones, which analysts believe were probing Tokyo’s military readiness and assertiveness.

A Chinese military drone is spotted near the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyakojima earlier this year. Photo: Japan’s Defence Ministry
Ukraine war

Ukraine accuses Russia of undermining UN nuclear watchdog

Ukraine condemns IAEA visit to Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant via Russian-occupied territory.

US-China relations

US imposes sanctions on more Hong Kong firms for aiding Iran drone makers

Treasury Department alleges six companies obtained components for Iranian drones and missiles in violation of US bans.

China economy

China’s security ministry warns of safety risks from low-altitude aircraft

Users need to be aware of the threats to data, privacy and the public, ministry says.

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A drone delivers takeaway at Futian Port in Shenzhen, southern China. The low-altitude economy generally refers to activities within airspace below 1,000 metres. Photo: Xinhua
China's military weapons

China’s anti-drone contractors make Mideast pitches with rapidly evolving tech

At region’s biggest military expo, Chinese defence suppliers promote counter-unmanned aerial vehicles to fill possible US arms sales void.

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Chinese companies showcased their latest systems designed to defend against UAV, as global defence contractors turned out in force at the International Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Photo: AFP
China economy

Opinion | How China’s low-altitude economy can soar both at home and abroad

Behind the spectacle of flying cars and drone shows lies a bold economic plan to grow jobs, boost inclusion and transform industries.

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Ukraine war

Russian drone hits Chernobyl cover, radiation levels normal

Zelensky’s comments came just hours before he was to meet with US Vice-President J.D. Vance in Germany.

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Science

China’s stratospheric airship can detect F-35 fighter from nearly 2,000km: study

Chinese researchers say they found jet’s potential vulnerability in study of simulated combat involving Taiwan.

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Chinese researchers say they can detect the US-made F-35 fighter jet from more than 1,800km away via its engine exhaust plume. Photo: US Air Force
Ukraine war

Russians told not to panic over ‘gas cloud’ near plant struck by Ukraine

The gas was the result of work to restart the plant near Astrakhan, which has a population of about 475,000 people, the governor said.

A Ukrainian soldier prepares a drone in the Donetsk region in 2024. Ukraine on Monday struck Russia with dozens of drones, triggering fires at a major oil refinery and gas processing plant. Photo: AP
Ukraine war

Ukraine drone sparks fires at Russia’s major energy facilities

The attacks started fires at a major oil refinery and gas processing plant and disrupted flights from the Volga to the Caucasus mountains.

Science

China’s Type 055 destroyer can stop US fleet with unmanned ‘kill web’: study

Chinese researchers have shown in a simulation how a combination of drones and unmanned boats could battle a US fleet.

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