Kenya, May 19 -- China's first big flying drone, called the Jiutian SS-UAV, is set to make its first flight in June 2025. This is an important step for China in developing military drone technology.
The Jiutian was shown for the first time at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024. It is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that has jet engines and can fly at 15,000 metres, higher than normal planes.
It can carry more than 100 small drones or 1,000 kilograms of missiles that have a range of 7,000 kilometres.
The name Jiutian means "Nine Heavens" or "High Sky". It has a special design called the "Isomerism Hive Module", which lets it release groups of smaller drones for tasks like spying, electronic warfare, or attacks. This makes it useful for many different operations.
The Jiutian can take off at a weight of up to 16 tonnes, has a wingspan of 25 metres, and can stay in the air for up to 36 hours.
It is built for long missions at high altitudes and can compete with U.S. drones like the RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper.
It has eight spots under its wings for carrying weapons and includes advanced features such as secure communications and a design that makes it harder to detect.
Chinese media and military experts say that the Jiutian will help improve national defence and act as a warning against possible threats.
Zhao DaShuai, a defence expert, stated, "China's military aims for peace. We grow stronger to protect our sovereignty, unlike the U.S., which has invaded other countries," on April 28, 2025.
The drone's features are seen as especially important in areas like the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, where it could help keep watch or show power.
However, its launch has worried Western analysts, who see its ability to deploy many smaller drones and fly long distances as a potential threat to air dominance in the region.
While Chinese officials emphasise its defensive role, some critics believe that it could increase tensions in the Indo-Pacific, especially if it is launched from ships like the Type 076-class.
Its high-flying capability, reaching 15,000 metres, allows it to avoid many medium-range air defence systems, making it especially significant strategically, though advanced U.S. interceptors could still counter it.
The Jiutian project has received over 3 billion yuan in funding. It shows how quickly China is advancing in technology like artificial intelligence (AI) and modular designs.
Four prototypes were built by April 2025, just a year and a half after the project started. Haige Communications helped with technology for digital twins and secure communication.
Besides military uses, the Jiutian can also help in civilian activities like emergency deliveries and search and rescue operations.
As the June flight date approaches, more people around the world are paying attention to the Jiutian. Reactions on social media are mixed.
Some people admire its technology and see it as a sign of China's military progress, while others are worried about its ability to spy or attack quickly.
The international community is watching closely to see how this drone will be used and what it means for security in the region.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.