Military Briefing: Foreign Drones That Shifted the Course of Sudan’s War

Sudanhorizon – Financial Times
The Financial Times published a report yesterday (Sunday) detailing the military use of foreign drones and their role in Sudan’s ongoing war. The newspaper stated that drones, believed to originate from China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have placed previously secure locations like Port Sudan within reach of militia forces—despite the city being over 1,200 kilometres from any known Rapid Support Forces (RSF) base.
The report noted that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) initially held air superiority due to their airpower and appeared to outpace the RSF in deploying drones. Analysts cited by the newspaper said the SAF’s use of drones during battles preceding the liberation of Khartoum helped tip the scales in their favour. However, the RSF has since intensified its own drone operations, targeting military and civilian infrastructure deep inside SAF-held territories in recent months—including the Merowe hydroelectric dam on the Nile and several power stations.
Analysts suggested that the RSF’s drone strikes on Port Sudan were likely retaliation for an SAF airstrike on May 2nd targeting Nyala airport in South Darfur. That raid destroyed a cargo plane allegedly transporting additional weapons to the RSF and killed foreign technical advisors. Satellite imagery analysed by Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab revealed that Nyala was where the RSF had been building its drone capabilities, including 12 Chinese-made CH-95 and FH-95 drones capable of firing guided missiles.
Defence analysts noted that the precision of subsequent strikes on Port Sudan indicated either that the RSF rapidly acquired advanced drone-operating skills or that foreign actors were assisting in mission execution. The drones would have required satellite guidance, given the likely flight distances exceeding radio-control range.
The Sudanese government has accused the UAE of providing this support and supplying weapons. After months of escalating evidence implicating the UAE, Sudan’s Security and Defence Council severed diplomatic ties last week, designating the UAE as a “hostile state.”
The drone warfare highlights how the RSF—accused by the U.S. of committing genocide—continues to procure foreign arms in violation of a UN arms embargo. Amnesty International reported last week that Chinese-made weapons, likely re-exported by the UAE, were seized during Khartoum’s liberation. Amnesty’s analysis of post-strike imagery, including from Port Sudan, identified Chinese-made GB50A guided missiles and AH-4 155mm howitzers.
Drone expert Zwijnenburg confirmed battlefield recoveries of drones matching models manufactured and exhibited in UAE arms fairs. Cameron Hudson, a Sudan expert at Washington’s CSIS, observed: “I’ve seen the RSF and [their alleged Emirati backers] significantly ramp up efforts.” Zwijnenburg also traced long-range Chinese drones in RSF hands, noting a Chinese GB50 or smaller GB25 guided missile targeted Port Sudan’s hotel.

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