China’s Burgeoning Drone Arsenal Shows Power of Civil-Military Fusion
China is rapidly advancing its drone technology through a civil-military fusion strategy, while the U.S. attempts to revive its drone sector with new executive orders. The PLA’s extensive integration of UAVs, observed in military exercises around Taiwan, signals a significant shift in modern warfare dynamics. The collaboration between state-owned enterprises and universities bolsters China’s capacity in this field, raising concerns for U.S. competitiveness.
China’s drone industry is rapidly expanding, underscoring the effectiveness of its civil-military fusion strategy. On June 6, President Trump signed executive orders intended to revitalize the struggling U.S. civilian drone sector, urging agencies to boost American drone exports whilst restricting government purchases of drones associated with Chinese entities. The timing and efficacy of these measures are in question, as China has dominated the global drone market for over a decade, integrating military and civilian capabilities into a unified strategic approach.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has shown a significant interest in drone technology, especially evident during multiple joint exercises near Taiwan. Drones frequently appear in PLA incursions around the island, suggesting their pivotal role in any potential conflict across the Taiwan Strait. Current debates within the PLA revolve around the specific types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) required, including options for long-endurance strikes or autonomous swarms that could enhance operational capabilities.
In light of recent military developments, particularly in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, China is keenly studying drone applications in warfare. The PLA is learning from its relationship with Russia, especially regarding the use of cost-effective swarms of drones which China can manufacture at scale due to its vast industrial base. These modifications align with President Xi Jinping’s 2022 address highlighting the importance of developing unmanned combat forces, as China’s military increasingly uses UAVs across diverse missions.
China’s military drone industry is experiencing a modernization wave, benefiting from an integrated military-civil fusion development model. This strategy has proven successful in the drone sector, which combines dual-use technology for civilian and military applications, featuring scalable solutions with lower production costs. As a result, drone exports have surged, with China contributing over a quarter of global military drone sales from 2018 to mid-2024, underscoring the significance of drones in China’s defense strategy.
The adeptness of China’s drone innovation can be attributed to the collaboration of three key sectors: state-owned enterprises, defense-focused universities, and private or mixed-ownership firms. Prominent players in China’s UAV field include the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, which manufactures the widely-used Wing-Loong series, and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, known for the Caihong UAVs. These enterprises often collaborate with academic institutions to fuel technological advancements in the drone sector.
Beihang University, a historical pioneer in UAV development, continues to lead research efforts, establishing partnerships with state enterprises such as CASC and NORINCO. These collaborations enable universities to capitalize on substantial funding and resources, ensuring advanced research and practical applications in military technologies. Likewise, private firms—including Sichuan Tengden Technology—are stepping into the spotlight, producing sophisticated drone systems, with ties to influential military figures.
The role of drones in modern warfare has shifted dramatically, as demonstrated by their impact in Ukraine. If China were to engage in a military operation against Taiwan, the deployment of UAVs could reach unprecedented levels, supported by the country’s expansive civilian drone industry developed through military-civil integration. The Biden administration’s recent executive actions may be viewed as an initial attempt to close the gap, but they represent only a small portion of a larger strategy needed to keep pace with China’s advancements.
China’s ascent in drone technology reflects a broader strategic integration of its military and civilian sectors. President Trump’s recent executive orders aim to boost the U.S. drone industry but face significant challenges due to China’s existing market dominance and manufacturing capabilities. The sophistication of China’s UAV programs, backed by collaboration between state enterprises, universities, and private firms, indicates that this is a landscape rapidly evolving, with implications for global security, especially in the context of Taiwan and broader regional tensions.
Original Source: www.defenseone.com
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