Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is the Editor in Chief and Founder of DroneXL.co, where he covers all drone-related news, DJI rumors and writes drone reviews, and of EVXL.co, for all electric vehicle news. Haye can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo. Also on LinkedIn, Muck Rack, Instagram and YouTube.

6,551

Articles

275

Beats covered

2020

Writing since

Oct 19

Latest story

Ukraine

Yemen Seizes 2,500 Tons of Drone Factory Equipment Bound for Houthis in Massive Port Interdiction

Yemeni authorities intercepted a massive shipment containing over 3,000 drone-related components and complete manufacturing equipment at the Port of Aden on October 2, 2025, marking one of the largest drone-related seizures in the ongoing Yemen conflict. The 58 containers, weighing approximately 2,500 tons (5.5 million pounds), were discovered during routine customs inspection of a commercial…

Haye KestelooOct 11

Netherlands

Netherlands Invests €200 Million In Joint Ukraine Drone Production As Battle-Tested Designs Go Global

Ukraine and the Netherlands signed a memorandum of understanding on October 10 to jointly produce military drones, marking another major step in Ukraine’s strategy to export its battle-proven drone manufacturing capabilities to NATO allies. The deal positions Ukraine’s defense industry as a technology provider rather than just a recipient of Western aid. The partnership combines…

Haye KestelooOct 11

DJI

FCC Removes Millions of Chinese Electronics Listings as DJI Faces December Ban Deadline

The Federal Communications Commission announced today that major U.S. online retailers have removed millions of product listings for prohibited Chinese electronics—a move that could preview what’s coming for DJI drones in just 74 days. While today’s FCC action targets telecom equipment and security cameras from Huawei, ZTE, and Hikvision, the enforcement mechanism is identical to…

Haye KestelooOct 10

Police

Belgium Foils Jihadist Drone Bomb Plot Targeting Prime Minister As Europe Bolsters Defenses

Belgian authorities arrested three suspects in Antwerp today after uncovering a jihadist-inspired plot to assassinate Prime Minister Bart De Wever using drone-mounted explosives, according to federal prosecutors. Police discovered bomb-making materials, metal pellets for shrapnel, and a 3D printer intended to manufacture drone components during raids on four residences. The arrests come just one d

Haye KestelooOct 9

DJI

CASA Confirms DJI Mini 5 Pro Classification: Australia Joins US, Canada, UK in Rejecting Sub-250g Status

Australia’s aviation authority has officially confirmed that the DJI Mini 5 Pro will be classified as a “small restricted RPA” rather than a sub-250g micro drone, according to correspondence obtained by Adelaide drone operator Corey Roberts of Airworks Pty Ltd. The decision places Australia firmly in line with the United States, Canada, and the United…

Haye KestelooOct 9

Amazon

Skyrover S1 Mini Drone Surfaces On Amazon: DJI’s Unreleased Budget Hybrid Drone With 40-Minute Flight Time

A new entry in DJI’s shell company lineup has appeared on Amazon, but U.S. pilots can’t buy it yet. The Skyrover S1 mini drone, distinct from the previously reported Skyrover X1—represents a different strategy from DJI’s rebranding playbook. Rather than cloning existing models, this unreleased drone appears to hybridize the budget-friendly DJI Mini 4K camera…

Haye KestelooOct 9

Amazon

Skyany X1 Emerges As Latest DJI Mini 4 Pro Clone On Amazon Ahead Of December Ban

DJI’s shell company strategy continues expanding with the Skyany X1, a new Amazon-available drone that’s essentially identical to the previously reported Skyrover X1—both rebranded DJI Mini 4 Pro drones manufactured in Malaysia. The discovery, highlighted in a recent video by Half Chrome‘s Jack Towne, reveals how DJI is accelerating its workaround operations as the December…

Haye KestelooOct 9

Anduril

Rheinmetall Ramps Up Combat Drone Production in Italy Amid $213M European Order Surge

German defense giant Rheinmetall has accelerated loitering munitions production to full capacity at its Italian facilities, securing over $213 million in orders from eight European countries as the Ukraine war drives unprecedented demand for precision strike drones. The company announced that series production is now operating at “full speed” at two plants in Sardinia operated…

Haye KestelooOct 9

Haye Kesteloo

The drone industry moves fast. Stay ahead of it.