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A new report from Ordnance Industry Science Technology offers fresh insight into China’s Feilong-300D, a low-cost reconnaissance and attack drone that first appeared at the Zhuhai Air Show last year. The publication suggests that the unit price could be as low as $10,000, signaling Beijing’s push to make advanced loitering munitions affordable for mass deployment. Although specific technical details remain undisclosed, the article notes that the state-owned defense giant Norinco designed the Feilong-300D to strike armored targets while also performing surveillance and reconnaissance missions, as many nations now face growing regional security threats, driving demand for affordable defensive capabilities. Feilong-300D drone seen as tool for deterrence and border control According to the report, the Feilong-300D is designed to carry out reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions along border regions, where it could serve as a deterrent to potential adversaries. In disputed territories, the drone’s ability to deliver real-time monitoring and rapid response capabilities could give operators a significant tactical advantage, reinforcing control over contested zones, the South China Morning Post writes. The report also discussed who might buy the Feilong-300D, suggesting that Pakistan could be among the first potential customers. Earlier this year, Chinese-made fighter jets and missiles played a crucial role in clashes between India and Pakistan, highlighting Beijing’s growing influence as Islamabad’s top arms supplier. The Feilong-300D, the report added, offers smaller nations a low-cost but capable weapon for building their own unmanned combat fleets. In future conflicts, the drone could become a key factor in how modern wars are fought. Loitering munitions, often called suicide or exploding drones, are rapidly transforming the nature of modern warfare. These weapons have been widely deployed in the Russia–Ukraine war and were also used by Iran in last year’s attacks on Israel. One of the most well-known examples is the Iranian-made Shahed 136, which Russia now uses under the name Geran-2. Long-range strike power in simulated drills The report also described the Feilong-300D’s design, highlighting its delta-wing shape, which allows it to fly farther on the same amount of power. Powered by a piston engine running on standard fuel, the drone was praised for its simple construction, reliability, and low cost. In a simulated mission, the Feilong-300D reportedly traveled 621 miles, avoided enemy air defenses, and hit a mock military base. The exercise also demonstrated its ability to work alongside fighter jets and ground-based missiles, using modular warheads that can be tailored to different combat scenarios. Beijing has been accelerating the development of drone-based weapon systems as part of its broader strategy to modernize the People’s Liberation Army and strengthen its ability to fight high-tech wars. Several of China’s latest unmanned aircraft were showcased during last month’s Victory Day military parade in Beijing, underscoring their growing role in the country’s defense strategy. Across the Taiwan Strait, Taipei is pursuing its own program to develop suicide drones aimed at enhancing its asymmetric warfare capabilities and countering China’s expanding military pressure.
