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Export controls, the Shenzhen supply chain, and the geopolitics of the world’s drone-manufacturing superpower.

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U.S. Army begins production of 3D printed drones
Department of Defense

Pentagon races to standardize drone batteries as 2026 strategy looms

Military drone adoption across air, sea, and land is surging—and the Pentagon is moving to lock down how it sources, standardizes, and buys batteries and the critical minerals behind them, with a new department-wide strategy targeted for signature by March and public release in early 2026, officials said, citing battlefield lessons and supply chain security…

U.S. Navy’s Drone Boat Program Faces Crashes, Software Failures, and Leadership Shakeups
Department of Defense

U.S. Navy’s Drone Boat Program Faces Crashes, Software Failures, and Leadership Shakeups

The U.S. Navy’s ambitious effort to build a fleet of autonomous drone boats capable of countering China in the Pacific is struggling with technical failures and internal turmoil, according to a detailed Reuters report. Recent tests have resulted in collisions, software malfunctions, and operational accidents, while the Navy’s acquisition program has been rocked by leadership…

Taiwan to Reclassify Small Drones as ‘Consumables’ for Faster Military Procurement
Anduril

Taiwan to Reclassify Small Drones as ‘Consumables’ for Faster Military Procurement

Taiwan will reclassify small drones as “consumables” instead of durable military equipment, a move aimed at accelerating drone access for its armed forces amid growing tensions with China. The change, patterned after a recent U.S. policy, is expected to streamline procurement and foster tighter cooperation between Taiwan’s military and its domestic drone industry, reports Focus…

Russia adds remote control to Shahed drones, accelerating jet-powered upgrades - Ukrainian bomb disposal specialists and law enforcement inspect debris from a Shahed drone after an attack in Kharkiv on June 4, 2025. © Sergey Bobok, AFP
United States

AliExpress Markets Shahed’s Secret Weapon—Game-Changing Antenna Evades Jamming

When does online shopping cross into national security? Look no further than the AliExpress listing shaking up drone warfare. A core navigation component used in Russian Shahed-series attack drones, vital for maintaining operational integrity against electronic countermeasures, is now being openly marketed on AliExpress. This development raises significant operational and security concerns for dro

Regime forces have been observed with drones and munitions deployed in aerial strikes.
Europe

Myanmar’s Deadly Drones Get European Boost – Anti-Jamming Scandal Sparks Sanctions Fury

Imagine the chaos if hobby drones turned deadly: That’s Myanmar’s reality, where European modules protect junta UAVs from interference – dive into the findings that have experts demanding action now. Myanmar’s military junta has integrated advanced European-made anti-jamming technology into its drones, enabling more resilient operations amid ongoing conflicts, according to a new report by…

DJI's 'Game of Drones.' How culture clashes are breaking up the drone maker from the inside out
Skydio

DJI Drone Ban Looms: Chinese Manufacturer Battles US Security Scrutiny and Lobbying Hurdles

DJI Technologies, the dominant player in the US commercial drone market, faces a potential ban on its products by year’s end unless it clears national security audits, but the drone maker says that its attempts to engage Washington officials are met with silence, reports Bloomberg. Security Audits and Regulatory Deadline Congress included a provision in…

Chinese Drones Dodge Missiles with Shocking 87% Survival Rate
Ukraine

Chinese Drones Dodge Missiles with Shocking 87% Survival Rate

What if your drone could juke a missile like a pro gamer? Simulations show China’s boosters deliver 87% success, sparking drama in the skies. Chinese aerospace engineers have developed a novel evasion system for combat drones, using side-mounted rocket boosters to enable sudden maneuvers that could raise survival rates from a mere 10% to 87%…

Shocking Ties: How Trump Jr.’s Drone Investments Could Cash In on Massive U.S. Military Boost
Department of Defense

Shocking Ties: How Trump Jr.’s Drone Investments Could Cash In on Massive U.S. Military Boost

Imagine your hobby drone parts suddenly backed by billions—thanks to Trump family ties. Donald Trump Jr. has boarded Unusual Machines, eyeing gains from his dad’s $1.4B drone push, but is it fair play? Donald Trump Jr. has joined the advisory board of Unusual Machines, a Florida-based drone company, positioning himself to potentially benefit from his…

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