The M23 rebel group has shot down another unmanned aerial vehicle operated by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) for military operations.
According to Lawrence Kanyuka, a political spokesperson for the rebel faction, the downed drone belongs to the CH-4 model series.
Kanyuka stated, “M23 wants everyone to know that it has shot down another CH-4 drone used by MONUSCO.”
On February 24, 2024, Kanyuka disclosed that M23 had downed a drone belonging to the DRC military, adding, “M23 has downed one of Tshisekedi’s three drones. These include FARDC, FDLR, mercenaries, Wazalendo, Burundi army, and SADC troops, who continue to be defeated on the battlefield.”
However, the Congolese government dismissed it as propaganda, stating that the shown wreckage was from a MONUSCO helicopter downed by M23 in 2022,
In 2023, the DRC government acquired three CH-4 drones in Bushinwa to use in the conflict zone, where M23 remained a persistent threat. These drones were stationed at Goma airport.
The CH-4 combat drone is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that has the capacity to carry various weapons, including air-to-surface missiles and bombs. The first shipment of three drones has already been delivered, while the remaining six are expected to arrive later this year. These drones will be stationed at the South Kavumu military airport, strategically located within range of the conflict zone.
China’s growing influence in the global combat drone market can be attributed, in part, to a significant state-funded program aimed at modernizing and upgrading its armed forces. The Chinese-made Caihong 4 drone, often compared to the U.S.-manufactured MQ-9 Reaper, has become one of China’s bestselling drones. Similarly, the Wing Loong 2, another popular Chinese drone, shares similarities with the U.S.-built MQ-1 Predator.