China Rushing to Develop DronesNovember 23, 2010
Western defense officials and analysts were surprised to see 25 different unmanned Chinese aircraft models displayed at a trade show in Zhuhai, China this month. The surprise was especially pronounced because just two years ago, China showed only a handful and actually unveiled a first-concept unmanned aerial vehicle (UVA) just four years ago. China, as it is doing in nearly all military spheres, is speeding up development and production of UVAs as it tries to catch up with the United States and Israel—the world leaders in drone technology, according to an article in The Wall Street Journal. U.S. drones have played a pivotal role in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and some military experts say that the drones will play an even greater role in future military campaigns. China sees developing its own UVA arsenal as a marker that its military might is on par with the United States. The country appears especially driven to raise its military clout in line with its increasing economic and global political might, according to the article. The models on display are probably still several years behind the U.S. and Israeli models. Many other countries have tried and failed in developing UVAs that are as powerful as those built by U.S. and Israeli companies. Still China might present a special case. The country has moved quickly to catch up in other area of civil and military aviation. Defense and aerospace experts attribute this largely to technology transfers by foreign manufacturers in joint ventures in China. China's advances in the UVA technology development might push other countries—especially its regional rivals India and Japan—to build their own UVA development or acquisition programs, according to the Journal. Some of the models at the Zhuhai show included those that could fire missiles. Another model was designed to be powered by a jet engine, allowing it to fly faster—at least in theory—than the American propeller powered Predator and Reaper drones. |
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