SINGAPORE — While China’s J-35A fighter jet managed to capture attention at the Singapore Airshow, it was the Wing-Loong X combat drone that experts believe could achieve greater international success. This new drone was showcased by China’s major aerospace player, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), as part of China’s strategic display at Asia’s largest aerospace event held from February 3-7.
The AVIC booth, strategically placed at the center of the exhibition hall, featured the latest model of the Wing Loong series. The WL-X, designed for maritime surveillance and strike missions, made its debut in the Southeast Asian market. Experts are taking note of China’s military developments, particularly in the drone sector, as these systems are increasingly seen as serious contenders in the international market.
Military aviation researcher Andreas Rupprecht commented, “Chinese products are not only being noticed in the West, but their aircraft and combat drones are also being recognized as competitors – the capability gap between these systems and their U.S. competitors is narrowing while maintaining significantly lower costs.”
Given China’s strength in exporting unmanned systems, the WL-X drone is poised to replicate the success of its predecessors among nations seeking to enhance their maritime operations. Federico Borsari, a resident fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, notes, “The Wing Loong family and CH-drone series have been sold to dozens of states; it is plausible to expect the new drone on the buying list of countries that cannot access or afford Western systems due to cost, export controls, or political constraints.”
At the 2024 exhibition in China, AVIC presented a prototype of the WL-X equipped with maritime weapon systems such as underwing sonobuoy dispensers and electric-propulsion torpedoes. Despite the detailed information on the drone’s physical features and 24-meter wingspan showcased at the Singapore Airshow, payload specifics were not disclosed.
Countries operating previous Wing Loong models include Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Pakistan, Morocco, Algeria, Indonesia, and Nigeria. In 2024, the Royal Saudi Air Force achieved a significant milestone with its Wing Loong II fleet, completing 5,000 flight hours. According to Borsari, these nations might consider the new variant to strengthen their naval forces.
The competitive pricing of the WL-X is expected to be a critical factor in its international appeal, as China’s offerings often come at a lower cost compared to Western alternatives.
A waiting game
Despite China’s progress in the combat drone arena, its ventures in the fifth-generation fighter jet market, exemplified by the J-35A, have been less successful. Although the fighter jet model drew interest at the event, a company representative declined to comment on potential foreign buyers.
Timothy Heath, a senior international defense researcher at RAND, believes China faces challenges in this market, stating, “The industry is small for Beijing since many of the wealthiest countries that can afford fifth-generation airplanes are either allies with the U.S. or long-standing clients of Russia. … Only a few, such as Pakistan, have enduring security ties with China.”
Heath suggests China’s best chance lies in attracting clients from Russia, as the latter’s defense industry struggles due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A 2025 U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission report mentioned Beijing’s offer to supply 40 J-35As to Pakistan in June 2025, though these deliveries are yet to occur.
