China leads world in anti-drone patents, US and South Korea lag

Intellectual property law firm Mathys & Squire says China leads the world in patent applications for anti-drone technology. Filings surged 27 per cent last year amid rising global security concerns from wars in Ukraine and Iran, and suspicious drone sightings in the West.

According to UK-based intellectual property law firm Mathys & Squire, China leads the world in patent applications for anti-drone technology, with the US and South Korea far behind. The technology has drawn heightened attention amid wars in Ukraine and Iran, as well as a spate of suspicious drone sightings in the West, driving a 27 per cent surge in filings last year. “The sharp rise in patents filed reflects growing global demand for systems capable of disabling or neutralising drones, whose use has expanded rapidly,” the law firm said. Anti-drone technology is increasingly being developed for airports, seaports, prisons, energy infrastructure and public events, Mathys & Squire said. This growth underscores escalating global security concerns over drone proliferation.

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South Korean police raiding intelligence agency offices, detaining officers amid drone incursion scandal with North Korea.
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South Korean spy agency and military unit raided over North Korea drone flights

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Investigators raided South Korea's National Intelligence Service and Defense Intelligence Command on Tuesday, booking three military officers as suspects in alleged drone flights to North Korea. North Korea claimed sovereignty violations from incursions in September 2025 and January 4, 2026. The probe, launched last month, also targets three civilians on charges of aviation safety violations and benefiting the enemy.

China's National People's Congress Standing Committee has approved revisions to the Civil Aviation Law, effective July 1. The changes explicitly target drones for the first time, addressing long-standing safety regulation gaps while guiding the growth of the drone industry.

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The US Federal Communications Commission has voted to close loopholes allowing sales of technology deemed a national security risk, targeting Chinese firms like DJI. With a December 23 deadline approaching, DJI warns that without a security audit, its drones could face an automatic sales ban in the US. Existing owners would remain unaffected by the restrictions on new purchases.

Dozens of Ukrainian civilians have filed lawsuits in Texas against Intel, AMD, and Texas Instruments, alleging negligence in tracking chips that ended up powering Russian drones and missiles. The suits claim the companies ignored warnings and used high-risk supply channels, contributing to deadly attacks on Ukrainian targets. Plaintiffs seek damages to hold the firms accountable and disrupt illicit supply chains.

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Taiwanese Vice-Premier Cheng Li-chiun stated that the government will continue to reinforce critical infrastructure and defenses against unmanned aerial vehicles to prepare for new forms of grey-zone conflicts, including drone intrusions. Trump's comments have fueled doubts about US commitment.

Analysts suggest China’s rapid AI adoption may limit the economic fallout from its rapidly ageing population. As fertility rates fall across Asia, sustaining growth with fewer workers poses a daunting challenge. The region’s deep semiconductor, tech hardware, and machinery ecosystems enable faster and cheaper deployment than other regions.

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In response to North Korea's accusations of sovereignty-violating drone flights in late 2025 and early 2026, and Kim Yo Jong's demand for explanation, South Korea has ordered a joint military-police investigation while pledging to ease tensions and build trust on the peninsula.

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