[Jane's Defence: Côte d'Ivoire Deploys Chinese-made Wing Loong-2 UAV]
According to a report published on August 12, 2026, by Jane’s Defence Weekly (Janes) website based in the UK, the armed forces of Côte d’Ivoire have confirmed that the country has now inducted the Chinese-made Wing Loong-2 medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
On August 7, during the national independence day military parade, official television commentators first revealed that the country’s air force had acquired the Wing Loong-2 UAV. However, this particular aircraft model was not featured in the aerial demonstration segment. The commentary explained that the drone is equipped with electronic reconnaissance systems and can carry missiles and aerial bombs.
On August 10, the armed forces of Côte d’Ivoire released a video officially confirming the procurement. The footage features two Wing Loong-2 drones, with the filming location identifiable as Bouaké Air Base in central Côte d’Ivoire. Although the drones shown were not carrying weapons, the voiceover clarified that the aircraft is capable of both intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and providing fire support.
One of the drones displayed a pod mounted at the center of its fuselage, which closely resembles the communications intelligence (COMINT) pod showcased by AVIC (China Aviation Industry Corporation) at the Dubai Airshow in November 2025 alongside the new Wing Loong-X UAV. Official details regarding the pod’s specific performance parameters have not yet been disclosed.
Earlier, in June 2024, the Ministry of Defence of Côte d’Ivoire announced that the Minister of Defence, Téné Birahima Ouattara, had signed a contract with China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation for the procurement of “the latest generation of aviation aircraft,” without specifying the exact model at that time.
It is reported that the Wing Loong-2 is a domestically developed medium-altitude, long-endurance, reconnaissance-strike integrated UAV by China Aviation Industry Corporation. It measures 11 meters in length with a wingspan of 20.5 meters, powered by a turboprop engine, achieving a maximum flight speed of 370 km/h, a practical ceiling of 9,000 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of 4.2 tons, and a maximum external payload capacity of 480 kg. In pure reconnaissance mode, it can sustain flight for up to 32 hours; under armed configuration, endurance reaches 20 hours. The aircraft features six universal hardpoints on its wings, capable of carrying up to 12 precision-guided munitions when using composite mounting racks. With satellite communication, it can be remotely controlled from distances as far as 3,000 kilometers.
The standard equipment includes electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) pods and synthetic aperture radar (SAR), supports Beidou satellite navigation, and allows modular pod replacement—including communication reconnaissance and electronic jamming capabilities. It can carry guided missiles such as Lianjian-7 and Tianlei-2, as well as precision bombs, to conduct targeted strikes, border control, maritime patrols, and other military operations. Additionally, it can perform civilian tasks including wildfire reconnaissance and emergency communication relay. With its outstanding cost-effectiveness and proven performance in multiple real-world combat scenarios, the Wing Loong-2 has already been exported to numerous countries.
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Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873355099614219/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.