China is a drone superpower
In 2014–18 China became the largest exporter in the niche market of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), with states in the Middle East among the main recipients
according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute,
There is widespread discussion about the impact of UCAV proliferation on peace and security.
China has become the primary exporter of UCAVs.
Whereas China exported 10 UCAVs to 2 countries in 2009-13,
in 2014-18 it exported 153 to 13 countries—
5 of which are in the Middle East: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In contrast, the United States delivered three UCAVs in 2009-13 and five in 2014-18. In both periods all the deliveries were to the United Kingdom.
Iran delivered 10 UCAVs to Syria in 2014-18, while the UAE delivered 2 to Algeria.
Task & Purpose