"On 7 July 2026, the Sudanese Armed Forces announced that they had shot down a Chinese-made FH-95 drone on the road linking Bara to Omdurman, west of Khartoum. The incident highlights the growing role of unmanned aerial systems in the conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been ongoing since April 2023."

"Manufactured by Aerospace Times Feihong Technology Company, a subsidiary of the Chinese state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the FH-95 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone. Equipped with four hardpoints, it can carry guided munitions and remain airborne for more than 24 hours."

"However, the Rapid Support Forces remain the only known operators of this model in Sudan. Several regional reports have identified the United Arab Emirates as the most likely supply route."

"The presence of Chinese-made drones in the arsenal of rebel forces fighting the government in Khartoum, despite Beijing's strong ties with Sudan, is noteworthy. Although the drones were reportedly not supplied directly by Beijing to the RSF — they are believed to have been transferred via the United Arab Emirates — their use by the RSF is likely to cause frustration in Khartoum toward Beijing. The episode also illustrates how technological rivalry among foreign suppliers is now playing out directly in Sudan's skies."