The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently in the process of acquiring three Wing Loong 2 combat drones from China, though the acquisition has not yet been finalized.
This move is aimed at strengthening the DRC’s military capabilities as it confronts the M23-RDF/AFC coalition in the eastern region, a group Kinshasa has designated as a terrorist organization. The negotiations with Catic, a Chinese aerospace company, signal the DRC’s intent to enhance its aerial arsenal amid a conflict that has displaced 7.3 million people and shows little sign of resolution.
This acquisition, negotiated with the Chinese aerospace company Catic, is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the DRC’s military capabilities in response to the ongoing conflict, which has seen the Rwanda-backed M23 group seize control of key cities like Goma and Bukavu since January 2025.
The drones, known for their precision strike capabilities and long endurance, are expected to provide a tactical advantage to the DRC’s armed forces (FARDC) and allied Wazalendo militias in their efforts to counter the M23’s advances, which Kinshasa labels as a terrorist organization.
The DRC is no stranger to drone technology, already operating three Chinese-made CH-4 drones. These unmanned aerial vehicles have been utilized in operations against the M23 rebels and Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) in the east, providing surveillance and limited strike capabilities. While the CH-4 drones have proven useful, the prospective addition of the Wing Loong 2 drones represents an upgrade, offering superior endurance and firepower to support the DRC’s counter-offensive efforts.
This purchase adds to the DRC’s existing arsenal of eight CH-4 drones, out of nine units supplied by China in 2023, which have already been deployed against the M23 and Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) in the east. The M23 rebels already shot down a CH-4 drone last January. A second batch arrived in May 2024.
The conflict in eastern DRC has intensified, with the M23 maintaining a strong presence despite military setbacks, such as the DRC’s recapture of Walikale on April 2, and ongoing peace talks in Doha.
The seizure of Goma and Bukavu has resulted in significant casualties and displaced 7.3 million people, highlighting the scale of the humanitarian crisis. The FARDC, alongside Wazalendo fighters, has been leading ambushes and counter-offensives, but the M23 remains a persistent threat.
The political landscape is further complicated by the return of former President Joseph Kabila to Goma on April 18, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. The Wing Loong 2 drones, capable of flying for up to 20 hours and carrying a 480 kg payload, are seen as a critical tool for surveillance and precision strikes, potentially disrupting M23 supply lines and shifting the balance in Kinshasa’s favor.
The Wing Loong 2 drones are renowned for their advanced features, including Long Endurance, capable of flying for up to 20 hours, allowing for extended missions over contested areas. And Precision Strikes, With a payload capacity of 480 kg, they can deliver targeted attacks on enemy positions and supply lines.
The DRC aims to leverage these capabilities to disrupt the M23-RDF/AFC coalition’s operations, particularly following significant losses such as the fall of Goma and Bukavu to M23 forces since January 2025. The drones are seen as a tactical tool to regain momentum in a conflict marked by setbacks for the DRC’s armed forces (FARDC) and its allied Wazalendo militias.
Additionally, the DRC’s growing reliance on Chinese military hardware—following the earlier delivery of CH-4 drones and now the Wing Loong 2—highlights Beijing’s increasing influence in the country, especially as the DRC has recently signed a mining agreement with the United States.
Meanwhile, China has become the world’s biggest exporter of UAVs, both armed and unarmed. In the last decade, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported that CASC, CAIG and other important Chinese UAV manufacturers sold 282 combat drones to 17 countries, while the United States only traded 12 armed UAVs.
