The shift away from Chinese drone technology presents supplier opportunities
The US and Lithuania operate the Phantom series of UAVs, manufactured by China’s DJI. (Photo: US Army)
As countries increasingly move away from Chinese drone manufacturing and focus on domestic production and collaboration, Europe and the US are well-placed to step in – although cost remains a crucial consideration.
The acceleration of European initiatives to replace Chinese-made drones is creating opportunities for European manufacturers to provide domestic alternatives. Meanwhile, there continues to be significant growth in the military drone’s systems market, with the war in Ukraine acting as a major catalyst.
Europe is in a strong position to play a significant role in shaping the future of drone warfare. Similarly, the US is shifting away from Chinese drone components, which means replacing parts and technology sourced from China with alternatives made domestically or in trusted countries. These include motors, cameras, batteries and microelectronics.
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