Karina Bovsunovska 17:20, 04.11.25 UNIAN
This drone is significantly cheaper than other Western counterparts
Chinese state-owned defense company Norinco has developed a new low-cost “suicide drone” that looks similar to Iran’s Shahed-136 , suggesting the country’s ambition to mass-produce munitions for future wars, Defense Blog reports .
The Feilong-300D, which was previously unveiled at the Zhuhai Air Show, has attracted attention after reports suggested it could cost as much as $10,000, a fraction of the cost of many Western drones.
According to the South China Morning Post, the UAV is designed to engage armored targets, conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and also combines offensive capabilities and multifunctionality.
The publication states that the Feilong-300D has a piston engine that runs on standard gasoline, and is also characterized by “simple design, high reliability and low cost.”
The delta-wing drone’s design also allows for “increased flight range under equivalent power conditions.” During the exercise, the drone flew 1,000 kilometers, evaded enemy air defenses, and struck a simulated base.
The publication adds that the drone can coordinate with fighter jets and ground-based missile systems during operations. In addition, it can be equipped with adaptive warheads, allowing “users to choose options based on different operational requirements.”
“In comparison, other strike drones have a significantly higher unit price. Loitering Munition’s Lancet series of munitions costs approximately $75,000–80,000, and the Russian localized version of the Shahed-136, known as Geran, reportedly costs around $125,000–150,000 depending on the modification, making the Feilong’s $10,000 unit price significantly lower than these alternatives,” Defense Blog emphasizes.
The South China Morning Post, citing sources, claims that the Feilong-300D could become “an affordable yet highly productive weapons option for small countries,” allowing them to “create their own unmanned combat forces through mass procurement.”
At the same time, the Defense Blog noted:
“While the Shahed-136 has been widely used in the war in Ukraine and in Iranian attacks on Israel, the Feilong-300D appears to be China’s answer to the same category – a disposable, cost-effective weapon designed for large-scale use rather than sophistication.”
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As UNIAN reported, the United States has already planned its first nuclear missile test . At the same time, the Ministry of Energy added that the tests will not include real explosions, like those previously conducted in the country. It is known that the rocket is planned to be launched from the Vandenberg Space Center in California.
At the same time, Forbes wrote that Ukraine has already developed its own Mavik drone and come up with a funny name for it. For example, the company Ucropter has developed the Yautja drone, attractively named “Shmavik”. These drones may also be more economically profitable, as they are more reliable.
