February 12, 2026 at 1:33 PM
China’s new maritime combat drone poised for global success: analysts
Beijing is positioning itself as a drone provider for certain countries, while the country's next-gen fighter jet faces more uncertain export prospects.
A Chinese Wing Loong X drone model is on display at the Dubai Airshow on Nov. 20, 2025, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Vcg/VCG via Getty Images)SINGAPORE — Beyond China’s ostentatious display of its J-35A fighter jet at the Singapore Airshow was a lower-profile piece of equipment, the new Wing-Loong X combat drone, which experts say is far more likely to find international success.
Beijing banked on Asia’s largest aerospace event, organized here from Feb. 3-7, to flex its aviation muscle, in a bid to attract more customers. At the enormous booth of the country’s top aerospace manufacturer, Aviation Industry Corporation of China, or AVIC, placed in the center of the exhibition hall, a mock-up of the WL-X combat drone was displayed on the side.