The growing demand for autonomous defense systems is driving expanded defense and technological cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia, as the Middle East becomes one of the largest overseas markets for Chinese military drones. At the World Defense Show in Riyadh, Chinese companies showcased advanced unmanned platforms, including the anti-submarine Wing Loong-X drone and the high-endurance CH-9 drone, both designed for export markets. Several models of Chinese drones have already been delivered to Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia. The exhibition highlights the expansion of Sino-Saudi cooperation in defense technologies, capability development, and industrial partnerships, reflecting broader strategic alignment within the framework of modernizing Saudi Arabia’s security system and Vision 2030.
A Chinese anti-submarine drone is among the systems participating in the Saudi defense exhibition
