China delivers its famous Wing Loong II combat drones to another African country in growing challenge to America’s MQ-9 Reaper

The Ivorian Armed Forces confirmed the induction of the CAIG Wing Loong II, a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and precision-strike missions.

The delivery follows a contract signed in June 2024 between Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Defence and China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation, or CATIC, for the acquisition of aircraft.

At the time, Abidjan did not disclose either the type or number ordered. Available information confirms that at least two Wing Loong IIs have since been delivered, although the total size and value of the contract remain undisclosed.

Nigeria was the first West African country to acquire the Wing Loong II, adding the aircraft to a growing fleet of unmanned systems used by its armed forces.

Elsewhere in Africa, Algeria and Morocco have also acquired Wing Loong II aircraft, while Egypt operates drones from the wider Wing Loong family.

Chinese combat drones have also been acquired by countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.

The Wing Loong series is frequently positioned as a lower-cost Chinese alternative to US armed drones such as the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper.

Earlier versions of the Wing Loong I were estimated to cost about $1 million to $2 million per aircraft, substantially below comparable US systems at the time.

The Wing Loong I can carry guided bombs and missiles during long-duration surveillance missions, while the more advanced Wing Loong II offers greater payload capacity, satellite communications and longer-range strike capability.

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast’s acquisition adds to China’s growing presence in Africa’s military drone market.

Chinese manufacturers have supplied armed and unarmed UAVs to African governments facing insurgencies, jihadist groups, border-security threats and conflicts across large territories.

Military drones have increasingly been deployed in conflicts in countries including Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Sudan and Somalia, although operators use platforms supplied by China, Turkey, Iran and other manufacturers.

Chinese defence exports have also benefited from relatively low acquisition costs and flexible financing arrangements.

In some African markets, Chinese arms sales have formed part of wider economic relationships involving infrastructure, commodities and natural resources, although payment structures vary between individual deals.

Ivory Coast has traditionally maintained close military ties with France, but it has increasingly diversified its defence relationships to include China, the United States and the European Union.

The Wing Loong II acquisition comes as international defence manufacturers compete for a growing African drone market, with Chinese, Turkish, American, Russian and other suppliers expanding their presence on the continent.