African nations barter natural resources for Chinese drones
African countries have been among the most significant Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle purchasers. As the South African portal Defenceweb reports, these nations often do not pay cash for them but allow Chinese companies access to their natural resources.
In the past decade, China has surpassed the United States in producing advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, both armed and unarmed, and has become the world's largest exporter.
Africa buys Chinese drones
Military experts cited by another African portal, Military. Africa praised Chinese unmanned aerial vehicles in May of last year. They highlighted their extensive range, ease of operation, and, most importantly, affordability. The Wing Loong I, costing £815,000, is comparable to the American Predator and can carry bombs and conventional missiles.
In recent years, Chinese drones have been acquired by the armies of Algeria, Morocco, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. Currently, there are over 400 of them on the continent.
Oil paid for drones
In addition to the Wing Loong I, African countries are keen to purchase the more economical CH-4. However, Libya possesses the more expensive and advanced Wing Loong II donated by Gulf nations. The same drones were exchanged for access to oil reserves in Nigeria, where they are used in the battle against Boko Haram. This jihadist movement plagues Africa's most populous country. Sudan also used oil to pay for drones from China.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo bought three CH-4 Rainbow drones from China last year and immediately deployed them in the eastern region to combat the M23 militias and Rwanda's supporting forces. A year earlier, the country had purchased nine such drones.
Chinese systems for jamming drones, known as Ching Kong, are also gaining popularity in Africa. They are available on the Chinese Global Sources website for £2,200 each. For instance, they are employed by Sudanese government forces, who have been fighting against the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for almost a year.
In Africa, Israeli and Turkish machines compete with Chinese drones, with Turkey offering the TAI Aksungur and its most popular Bayraktar TB2. Since 2019, Ankara has sold over 40 drones to 10 African countries. Among the buyers are Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Chad.
However, Africa is also becoming a drone producer. Thirteen companies, including Egypt, Sudan, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, have developed drones in seven countries.
