Prices of Chinese drone components have doubled due to China's export controls - FT

The cost of Chinese drone components has risen sharply as China tightens export controls on components amid trade tensions with the United States, the Financial Times reports.

At the Shenzhen Unmanned Aerial Systems Expo in China, industry representatives said suppliers had more than doubled prices for foreign customers who have few alternative sources.

"For example, last month it was $ 2,000 for air shipping, but today they want almost $ 3,500," said one Turkish manufacturer.

A French buyer, which manufactures military UAVs in particular, has stated a significant dependence on Chinese components. According to his estimates, European manufacturers are three years behind Chinese ones.

"We are trying to make European drones, but we cannot make them with the same technology as China," he noted.

Restrictions on thermal imaging cameras are a particular problem. Chinese suppliers are now asking double the price "because they are taking on more risk" in an attempt to avoid controls, a French buyer said.

The nearly $ 41 billion commercial drone market is becoming increasingly important to militaries around the world, with civilian drones being used in combat operations in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Beijing has sought to regulate exports of drones and their components. In recent years, China has required exporters to apply for special licenses that industry officials say are difficult to obtain, especially for component manufacturers that export smaller volumes.

According to analytics provider Drone Industry Insights, China produces up to 80% of the world's commercial drones and dominates the production of critical components such as sensors, cameras and propellers.

It was previously reported that Ukraine imported 127.8 thousand civilian unmanned aerial vehicles in January-March 2025. The cost of supplies was estimated at 371.3 million USD.