China drone capacity

Non-NATO

Fleet estimate2025

unknown

Not disclosed

Source: IISS Military Balance — no credible published PLA drone fleet figure (heavily contested) ↗

Manufacturer count2025

unknown

Not disclosed

Source: New America, World of Drones — no authoritative count of Chinese military-UAS manufacturers; majors: CASC, AVIC, CETC ↗

Defense drone budget (€)2025

unknown

Not disclosed

Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database — China total military expenditure SIPRI-estimated at $314bn (2024); official budget is lower and real spending is debated; no drone-specific figure published ↗

Notable systems2025

medium

Wing Loong II, CH-4, CH-5

Source: New America, World of Drones ↗

Combat use indicator2025

low

Not independently confirmed for PLA combat use (exported systems used by third parties)

Source: New America, World of Drones ↗

Export status2025

high

Confirmed exporter — CH-4/CH-5, Wing Loong II to Pakistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, UAE and others

Source: New America, World of Drones ↗

Indigenous production2025

high

Yes — CASC (CH-series), AVIC/Chengdu (Wing Loong)

Source: New America, World of Drones ↗

Metrics not listed above are not yet assessed for China — distinct from “Not disclosed”, which means a metric was assessed but no figure is published.

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