China
China
China's drone rules and export controls, police drone buying and military drones.
About China
China will control exports of large drone motors, their speed controllers, big carbon propellers and drone software from 18 November, its Commerce Ministry announced on 19 October. A separate draft would let makers take controlled drones abroad to trade shows on a registration certificate; comments close on 13 November.
Beijing bans owning, storing or flying drones anywhere in the city from 15 November, under rules its legislature adopted on 11 September. Residents can hand drones in at buyback points or post them out of the city for free.
Police forces are big buyers. In the week to 20 October they placed 31 of the 132 drone purchases posted on China's national procurement website, by FlightBrief's count. Tashkurgan county in Xinjiang has awarded ¥10.99 million, about $1.6 million, for three counter-drone stations with lasers.
The military is putting drones to sea. The GJ-21 stealth attack drone has flown from and landed on the Sichuan, China's new amphibious assault ship, the state news agency Xinhua announced on 30 October.
Coverage
Xinjiang Police Tender for Drone Jammers and a Jamming Truck
Two county police forces budget ¥4.26 million between them and bar imported products. Hubei's provincial police are buying too.
China's Stealth Attack Drone Lands on Its New Assault Ship
Beijing calls it a milestone. It has not said where the flights took place, how many there were, or how many drones the ship can carry.
A Chinese Border County Is Buying Three Counter-Drone Lasers
Tashkurgan, which borders Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, awarded ¥10.99 million for three counter-drone stations; lasers are half of it.
FCC Votes to Stop Recognising Test Labs in China From 2028
By the FCC's count, 82% of device testing last year happened in one country. From December 2028, a drone's radio will need a lab elsewhere.
China's Police Are Buying Counter-Drone Lasers and FPVs
Police placed 31 of 132 drone purchases on China's national procurement site in one week. One expressway tender failed because every bid was DJI.
China Adds Drone Motors and Software to Export Controls
Longer-flying drones get looser limits and faster paperwork from 18 November. The faster routes look shut to US buyers.
China Drafts Faster Export Route for Drones Bound for Shows
Licensed makers could skip a full licence for exhibitions and repairs. Since August, drone exports to the US face strict case-by-case review.
Chinese Firms Still Ship Drone Parts to Iran and Russia: WSJ
Chinese exporters are openly shipping drone engines, batteries and microchips to Iran and Russia despite US sanctions, the WSJ reports.
PLA Drone Doctrine: Swarms, AI, and Cognitive Collapse
A translated PLA report reveals China's air warfare future: autonomous drone swarms, hypersonic strikes, and AI warfare.
Beijing Bans Owning, Flying or Storing Drones From 15 November
Residents must move their drones out of the city or sell them back; buyback subsidies halve on 1 November. The May rules had banned only sales.