China, whose military capabilities are largely mocked by the conventional wisdom, is ignoring the jeers and is rapidly building up not only its navy, but is modernizing its air force now too. Case in point: it just unviled its own military drone, which is a spitting image of the US MQ-9 Reaper, with one typical Chinese twist: it is far cheaper.
From Sky News [4]:
"China has taken the wraps off its latest military drone and fighter plane as the country builds up its defence capabilities.
The unmanned Yi Long drone can carry two missiles and although it looks similar to the MQ-9 Reaper used by the British and US military it is likely to be priced far more cheaply.
Hong Kong's South China Morning Post newspaper put the cost of the Chinese drone at around $1m (£630,000). Andrei Chang, a Hong Kong-based military expert who edits Kanwa Defence Monthly, said: "The Chinese have spent a lot of money to develop a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle).
"They know that in future wars unmanned warfare will be very important."
The drone, which is built by China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC), was unveiled at an air show in the city of Zhuhai.
Some pictures of what should not be confused with your friendly, neighborhood "Made in the USA" greater-good drone, flying overhead:
[5]
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