The Chinese defense corporation displayed a model of a UAV assembly line at an exhibition in France, a move considered rare.
During the Eurosatory international defense exhibition, taking place on June 15-19 in Paris, France, Northern Industry Group (Norinco) displayed a miniature model showing the drone production process, from manufacturing components and parts, to complete assembly and testing.
Another corner of the booth displays models of the CY-8 transport unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the Z-6B unmanned helicopter and many types of suicide UAVs. According to Chinese media, CY-8 is the world’s largest transport UAV with a payload of up to 3.5 tons.
Norinco’s UAV production line model at the Eurosatory exhibition in France in a photo posted on June 15. Image: Calibre Defence
Norinco is one of China’s largest defense enterprises.
Theo SCMPChina’s state-owned defense corporation, introducing weapons production lines at exhibitions abroad is rare, because neither domestic media nor international observers have access to such production systems. Norinco’s move seems to indicate that it plans to produce more UAVs abroad.
“It is not difficult to transfer UAV assembly lines to friendly countries once the conditions are met, just like how China once transferred some lines to Pakistan,” said Song Zhongping, a military commentator in Beijing.
Expert Tong commented that China seems to be considering transferring the production line to some Middle Eastern countries, while the demand for UAVs is increasing in the region. “It is possible to provide core components for the above countries to produce domestically, in case the buyer needs it,” he added.
Norinco is trying to expand UAV exports, as this type of weapon plays an increasingly larger role in modern warfare.
China’s CH-7 UAV prototype takes off in a video released in December 2025. Video: X/Clash Report
The Middle East region is also the most important UAV export market for Beijing. Reconnaissance and armed versions of Chengdu Aircraft Group’s Wing Loong UAV series have been sold to 11 regional countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Arms company Arab Industrialization Organization in Egypt in December 2025 signed a memorandum of understanding with Norinco on co-production of military UAVs based on the Chinese ASN-209 series, of which up to 85% of the aircraft can be built in Egypt.