The 10th China (Beijing) Military Intelligent Technology Expo (CMITE 2025) opened on Thursday in Beijing, showcasing a wide range of advanced technologies, with a strong focus on drones and anti-drone systems.
More than 500 companies took part in the event, presenting their latest products. Among the highlights were innovative unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including new designs in drone and anti-drone technology, according to the Global Times.
The exhibition featured a variety of UAVs, from standard multi-rotor and fixed-wing drones to first-person view (FPV) models. Also on display were drones with completely new concepts.
One standout was the Hummingbird, a coaxial drone shaped like a vacuum cup. With a takeoff weight of 10 kilograms, it can carry a 3-kilogram payload and fly for 24 minutes. It can be equipped with 60mm or 82mm mortar shells depending on the mission. The drone can be quickly assembled and disassembled into three parts: rotor and motor, battery box, and payload carrier. A single soldier can carry four to five units. Thanks to its foldable wings, it can be launched in clusters for coordinated missions.
Another eye-catching category was ornithopter drones—aircraft that mimic birds by flapping their wings. These bird-like drones are designed for stealth and are hard to detect, as they closely resemble real birds in flight.
The smallest of these, a magpie-inspired drone, weighs only 90 grams and can be launched by hand. It can fly for several minutes while sending back real-time video using a built-in camera. Larger models, like a seagull-shaped drone, can carry more equipment and fly longer. Others resemble hawks and eagles, capable of carrying out surveillance and strike missions. The eagle-like model, for example, has a 2-meter wingspan, weighs 3.58 kilograms, and can fly for 40 minutes within a 6–8 km range. These drones use lightweight materials like rubber, making them reusable. Their appearances can also be customized to blend in with regional bird populations.
In addition to drones, the expo featured advanced anti-drone systems. One of the key technologies shown was the K-25 remote-controlled weapon station. This compact system can be installed on the ground or mounted on vehicles and equipped with a standard automatic rifle to engage both ground and aerial threats.
A staff member at the expo explained that the K-25 uses intelligent fire control to detect, track, and aim at targets automatically. It can make autonomous decisions during combat. In tests, the system had a 90% hit probability with a three-shot burst against small drones at 200 meters, and over 90% accuracy for single shots against personnel at 400 meters.
The K-25 system can be controlled remotely—either by cable or wireless connection—keeping operators safely out of harm’s way. It offers a cost-effective solution to counter the increasing drone threat on modern battlefields. Multiple units can be linked to create a coordinated defense network under a centralized anti-drone system. As a more affordable alternative to using expensive missiles against cheaper drones, the K-25 is designed for quick deployment and strong defense in field operations.
