KINSHASA - The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is negotiating the acquisition of three Wing Loong 2 combat drones from China's Catic aerospace firm to bolster its military capabilities against the M23 rebel coalition which Kinshasa labels a terrorist group. This move comes amid an escalating conflict that has displaced 7.3 million people, with rebels seizing cities such as Goma and Bukavu since January 2025. The DRC already operates eight Chinese-made CH-4 drones, previously used against M23 fighters, although one was downed in January.

Wing Loong 2 drones offer precision-strike capabilities, a 480-kilogram payload, and 20-hour flight endurance, potentially providing tactical advantages in disrupting enemy operations. The acquisition underscores China's growing military influence in the DRC, complementing earlier drone deliveries, even as Kinshasa recently signed a mining deal with the United States. China remains the world's largest drone exporter, significantly outpacing U.S. sales in armed unmanned aerial vehicles.

Source: Military Africa
Associated URL: https://www.military.africa/2025/04/dr-congo-acquiring-wing-loong-ii-drones/

WASHINGTON - In a new whitepaper, Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), says that emerging cost-effective precision strike solutions that can be safely recovered and reused offer a strong alternative to more commonly deployed 'One-Way Attack' or First Person View (FPV) drones.

In the new paper, USE IT, DON’T LOSE IT: The Case for Recoverable and Reusable Loitering Munitions, FLIR Defense argues that newer, advanced loitering munition unmanned aircraft systems (LMUAS) are better suited to support operations in the 'atmospheric littoral.' An emerging strategic concept, the atmospheric littoral describes the very low-altitude airspace (up to several hundred feet above ground level) which, if controlled, can significantly enhance the ground maneuver of combat units.

The paper highlights the total ownership cost of FPV and legacy loitering munitions currently on the market. Most systems are single use, so whether they successfully hit a target or not, they are a spent cost. These types of munitions are more expensive and complicated to train with, operate, and maintain, compared to recoverable LMUAS that can be safely brought back if target conditions change, or fitted with an inert payload for training exercises.

The whitepaper also explains how newer recoverable LMUAS, such as the FLIR Defense Rogue 1, can deliver greater precision strike capability to warfighters at the tactical edge. Rogue 1's patented gimballed warhead allows users to 'point' and deliver its munitions far more accurately, so that the lightweight system can disable armored platforms by targeting vulnerable spots on the vehicle. Increased precision makes up for the reduced payload capacity of the VTOL airframe compared to larger, fixed-wing platforms that can deliver heavier payloads but with less accuracy.

"Recoverable LMUAS offer small fighting units a big advantage when they can train more efficiently, deliver precision effects on the battlefield, and yet be able to reuse a system when target conditions change up to the last second," said Dave Viens, vice president of US Business Development at Teledyne FLIR Defense. "As our 'Use it, Don't Lose It' whitepaper points out, the atmospheric littoral has quickly become the key battlespace warfighters must control - and dominate - to defeat our enemies in modern conflicts."

"We believe the critical technologies embodied in the Rogue 1 lethal UAS offer distinct advantages to traditional 'one-way' FPV drones, giving combat units the edge they need to control the atmospheric littoral," Viens added.

Source: Teledyne FLIR
Associated URL: https://www.flir.com/news-center/military/recoverable-loitering-munitions/

MANILA - The Philippine Navy has conducted a successful test of its Mistral 3 surface-to-air missile (SAM). The missile was fired from the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), a Philippine Navy frigate. The warship, equipped with a twin-launcher, was located in the waters west of San Antonio, Zambales.

The Mistral missile successfully hit two aerial target drones provided by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The Mistral 3 SAM boosts the frigate's air defense capability.

Source: INQUIRER
Associated URL: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2056745/ph-navy-successfully-test-fires-mistral-surface-to-air-missiles
Author: Faith Argosino