Unmanned military equipment highlighted at UAE defense expo

Unmanned military equipment drew increasing attention from worldwide representatives as exhibitors at the 2025 International Defense Exhibition and Conference held in Abu Dhabi showcased their latest products, highlighting increased input in intelligent defense equipment development.

Opened Monday and to be run through Friday, the 2025 International Defense Exhibition and Conference is being held at ADNEC Center Abu Dhabi in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The exhibition showcased a wide range of unmanned military equipment, including unmanned aerial vehicle, unmanned surface vehicle, unmanned ground vehicle, and unmanned underwater vehicle.

FLARIS SINYAR-LAR3P developed by UAE's advanced technology company and military contractor EDGE Group drew much attention from representatives.

The UAV on display distinguishes itself from similar products by its short take-off and landing capabilities and its flexible structure design.

"It can take off from grassy air strips and it has detachable wings, which is untypical in this category. It is also the lightest aircraft in the medium-altitude long-endurance UAVs," said Piotr Ladzinski, a designer at EDGE Group.

Chinese representatives also showcased their cutting-edge unmanned equipment at the defense expo, with 59 enterprises presenting highly intelligent unmanned combat equipment and technologies used to develop radar, communication device, and advanced defense materials.

"Our theme for this year's exhibition is 'Digital and Intelligent Empowerment for Unmanned and Conventional Battlefield'. Right behind me is our next-gen SH-16A 155mm self-propelled howitzer. It has a wheeled armored chassis and an unmanned gun turret. It adopts an one-touch control system, with the process of positioning the turret, loading the ammunition, aiming and firing the artillery, and withdrawing fully automated. It has rapid reaction, fast firing rate, and long range, fully unleashing its advantage of quick hitting and scooting. The howitzer is one of the most advanced of its kind around the world," said Chen Xiangyu, a Chinese representative.

China's outstanding aggregate social financing -- the total amount of financing to the real economy -- reached 442.12 trillion yuan (about 63.4 trillion U.S. dollars) as of the end of 2025, up 8.3 percent year on year, central bank data showed on Thursday.

The country's aggregate social financing stood at 35.6 trillion yuan (about 5.1 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2025, up by 3.34 trillion yuan (about 479 billion U.S. dollars) from the year 2024, said the People's Bank of China (PBOC), the country's central bank.

According to the data, the M2, a broad measure of money supply that covers cash in circulation and all deposits, increased 8.5 percent year on year to 340.29 trillion yuan (about 48.8 trillion U.S. dollars) as of the end of December.

In addition, outstanding yuan loans stood at 271.91 trillion yuan (about 39 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of 2025, up 6.4 percent year on year.