Export controls, the Shenzhen supply chain, and the geopolitics of the world’s drone-manufacturing superpower.
DroneXL readers, hold onto your controllers—this one’s a game-changer. In China’s rugged Yunnan province, a swarm of heavy-lift drones just pulled off a jaw-dropping feat, carrying 180 tonnes of steel and concrete up a mountain to build solar power towers. According to the South China Morning Post, this operation is a showcase of drone tech…
Picture this: A truck of ‘refrigerators’ lands in Russia, but they’re really powering killer drones – the wild story behind Beijing’s sanction sidestep. Chinese manufacturers have covertly supplied engines to a Russian drone maker, labeling them as “industrial refrigeration units” to evade Western sanctions, enabling a surge in attack drone output for use in Ukraine.…
Picture drones buzzing over Ukraine, each carrying a 33-pound warhead, powered by Chinese tech meant for hobbyists. On July 22, 2025, Ukraine’s DIU exposed this reality, raising alarms for drone pros. The Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (DIU) revealed that a new Russian drone, which uses a Chinese-sourced technology, serves the dual purpose of a decoy and…
Hong Kong’s police force is advancing its use of drones in urban and border patrols, leading to quick detections and arrests in initial trials, as part of a broader “smart policing” strategy. This development highlights how drones are becoming integral tools for law enforcement, offering aerial surveillance that complements ground operations. Initial Drone Patrol Trials…
President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have initiated discussions on a potential “mega deal” that could see the United States acquiring battle-tested Ukrainian drones, while Ukraine purchases American weapons in return. This arrangement aims to bolster US drone capabilities, which experts say fall behind those of adversaries like Russia and China. Zelensky highlighted the…
Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 last December, setting a December 23, 2025, deadline for a national security agency to assess risks posed by Chinese-manufactured drones. With less than six months remaining, DJI has intensified its push for a transparent and thorough evaluation, arguing that a rushed or incomplete process…
The US Commerce Department has initiated investigations into imports of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their components, potentially leading to new tariffs under national security provisions. This move, announced on July 1, aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader tariff strategy and could impact drone availability and costs for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Scope of the…
DJI Agriculture today launched the Agras T100 globally, a high-capacity drone designed to transform large-scale farming through enhanced spraying, spreading, and lifting capabilities. This release, announced on July 15, 2025, builds on its initial debut in China last November and promises greater efficiency for drone professionals tackling expansive fields. The T100 addresses the demand for…
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