Cheap but Deadly: China's Feilong-300D Suicide Drone Offers Low-Cost Alternative to Western Weapons
- MM24 News Desk
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Chinese state-owned defense firm Norinco has unveiled startling details about its Feilong-300D suicide drone, with a military journal reporting the reconnaissance and attack vehicle could cost as little as US$10,000 per unit—positioning it as both an affordable deterrent for potential adversaries and an attractive option for price-sensitive international buyers like Pakistan.
The latest issue of Ordnance Industry Science Technology revealed the surprisingly low price point for the mass-producible loitering munition, which debuted at the Zhuhai air show last year. While the journal didn't disclose full technical specifications, it provided the first significant details about the drone's capabilities and strategic positioning. According to the publication, the Feilong-300D can attack armored targets while conducting reconnaissance and surveillance missions, making it a dual-threat system.
In the current international environment, "many countries face military threats from neighbouring countries and require enhanced defensive capabilities," the article stated, reported the Chinese military journal. The Feilong-300D could "conduct reconnaissance, surveillance and strike operations in border regions, forming a deterrent against potential adversaries," the article noted, adding that in disputed areas, such drones could "provide real-time monitoring of contested territories."
The journal specifically highlighted potential export opportunities, stating: "Should the Pakistani military procure significant quantities, the Feilong-300D would be offered at an exceptionally attractive price, potentially as low as US$10,000." This pricing strategy could prove particularly compelling for Pakistan, which already relies heavily on Chinese military hardware. Earlier this year, fighter jets and missiles purchased by Islamabad from China played key roles in clashes with Indian forces.
The article detailed the Feilong-300D's technical design, noting its delta-wing configuration enables "extended range under equivalent power conditions." Powered by a piston engine using standard petrol, the drone features "simple construction, high reliability and low cost." In a simulated exercise, the drone reportedly flew 1,000km (621 miles) from its launch site, evaded enemy air defense systems, and struck a simulated military base—an impressive range for such an inexpensive system.
The Feilong-300D represents China's entry into the rapidly expanding market for suicide drones, also known as loitering munitions, which have reshaped modern warfare through extensive use in the Russian-Ukrainian war and Iran's attacks against Israel. The most prominent example remains the Iranian-made Shahed 136 drone, which Russia has rebranded as the Geran-2 for its own arsenal.
During drills, the Chinese drone demonstrated coordination with fighter jets and ground-based missiles while featuring adaptable warheads that allow "users to select options based on varying operational requirements." The article, written under the pseudonym "Chenxi," emphasized that the system could provide "an affordable yet highly capable weapon option for smaller nations," enabling them "to establish their own unmanned combat forces through bulk procurement."
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China is vigorously developing its drone weaponry to meet modern warfare requirements, with several models featured prominently in last month's Victory Day military parade in Beijing. The development comes as Taiwan reportedly works on its own suicide drones to boost asymmetric warfare capabilities amid mounting pressure from the People's Liberation Army. As loitering munitions continue to prove their battlefield value, the Feilong-300D's combination of low cost and substantial capabilities could make it a significant factor in regional security dynamics.