China starts industrial production UAV's - Wendell Minnick

Wendell Minnick

Near Beijing China will set up a major commercial production hub for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's), defense analyst Wendell Minnick reports in Defense News.

Wendell Minnick:

China will establish a special industrial base for the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Beijing’s southern Daxing District, reports Chinese-language media reports. 

The base will be the first of its kind in China and will cover a total area of 134 hectors (14,400 sq. ft). It will be a “large-scaled whole-chain” UAV industrial base, according to “top management” of the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the Beijing Daily said. 

It will “integrate all links on the industrial chain”, including science and technology, manufacturing, test flights, marketing, after-sales services, and commercial applications. 

According to media reports, the base’s estimated output is projected to be $1.6 billion by 2015, $4.8 billion by 2020, and $16.1 billion by 2025. Both the numbers and support (i.e., CAAA) suggests the base will be largely commercial.

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Wendell Minnick is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.

China Weekly Hangout

China's media scene

How do China’s media work? The +China Weekly Hangout  is going to focus Thursday 7 November on the case of journalist Chen Yongzhou, the reporter of the New Express in Guangdong, and try to figure out how media in China work. Chen got arrested for articles he wrote on the state-owned company Zoomlion, developed into a hero for press freedom. Until he apologized for getting paid for those articles.  Two scenario’s are still possible: a hero or a cheater, or even more scenario’s. You can read or announcement here, or register her for the event. 

China's new visas Ambiguity is the word Beijing-based lawyer +Gary Chodorow uses most when he talked at the +China Weekly Hangout on September 12 about the new visas in China, officially in place since September 1. What to do with spouses, interns, people with F-visas and other visitors who are not allowed to work. Moderation by +Fons Tuinstra of the China Speakers Bureau.

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UAV's spreading along the PLA - Wendell Minnick

Wendell Minnick

China's military, the PLA, belongs to the largest users of UAV's, unmanned aerial vehicle, according to a new report, seen by defense analyst Wendell Minnick. "More UAV research-and-development centers complete comprehensive product testing and move into mass production," he writes in Defense News.

Wendell Minnick:

According to the report, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) fields one of the world’s most expansive UAV fleets. The report estimates there were more than 280 UAVs in service as of mid-2011. This number will increase significantly as more UAV research-and-development centers complete comprehensive product testing and move into mass production. 

A preliminary survey of probable units indicates that UAVs are spread across every service branch of the PLA. While unconfirmed, the report’s authors conclude that the General Staff Department and the Second Artillery Corps, responsible for strategic and tactical missiles, are in command of high-altitude, long-endurance UAVs, while the PLA Air Force, Navy and ground forces oversee UAV units that focus on tactical and training missions. 

“UAV systems may emerge as the critical enabler for PLA long-range, precision strike missions within a 3,000-kilometer radius of Chinese shores,” the report states. “Emphasis on reducing the radar cross-section of new UAV designs indicate[s] an intent to survive in contested or denied airspace.”

More in Defense News.

Wendell Minnick is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.

This week, on Thursday 14 March, the China Weekly Hangout will focus on the media in Hong Kong. In the 1990s they were a beacon of hope, and Hong Kong one of few global news capitals. With Paul Fox of the HKU we will discuss the state of Hong Kong media. You can read our announcement here, or directly register at our event page. 

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