[Chad, an African nation, has equipped itself with China-made "CH-4 Rainbow" drones]

According to DefenceWeb on September 2026: Footage captured at Abéché Air Base in the Wadai region of Chad—located 750 kilometers northeast of the capital N’Djamena—shows four Chinese-made CH-4 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) parked on the tarmac, alongside ground support equipment. As reported by the publication International Defence Analysis, these "new arrivals," discovered in mid-August, have not yet been officially announced by President Mahamat Déby. The report further indicates that multiple fully assembled aircraft confirm delivery has been completed, and operational integration is actively underway.

The CH-4, developed and manufactured by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), was introduced in 2011 and has been in service with the Chinese military since 2014. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,330 kilograms and can carry a payload of up to 345 kilograms, in addition to electro-optical turrets and synthetic aperture radar. With a wingspan of 18 meters and a length of 8.5 meters, the CH-4 is powered by a piston engine rated at approximately 100 horsepower, achieving a top speed of 235 km/h, a cruising speed of 180 km/h, and an endurance of up to 40 hours. It is capable of carrying various weapons, including cluster munitions, guided bombs, and AR-1 missiles.

Algeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jordan, Iraq, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have all procured the CH-4.

Last year, ADIT Group reported on the sale of 282 Chinese drones, citing the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which classified these drones as "combat drones," with African nations leading in procurement. Over recent years, Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, and Nigeria have all augmented their military arsenals with drones.

Regarding drone usage across Africa, ADIT Group, headquartered in Paris, France, noted: "Due to the lack of air defense capabilities among most armed groups, drones sometimes have a decisive impact on conflicts. The best example is Ethiopia. In 2021, Tigray Defense Forces advanced from northern positions toward the capital, prompting Addis Ababa to declare a state of emergency and triggering widespread panic. When foreign powers began urging their citizens to evacuate, drones were deployed, destroying truck and tank convoys located just 200 kilometers from the city. Although these drones appear to include models from China (Heron-I), Turkey (Bayraktar TB2), and Iran (Mohajer 6), they have proven their worth."

Chad possesses a highly skilled and battle-hardened military force tailored for internal security, border defense, and regional counter-terrorism operations. Given its geographical position in the Sahel region, bordering conflict-prone areas such as Libya, Sudan, Nigeria, and the Central African Republic (CAR), the Chadian armed forces serve both as a pillar of national stability and as a frontline force against insurgency. Chadian military doctrine centers on internal stability, border control, counter-terrorism, desert mobility, and rapid response in harsh terrain. The Chadian National Army aims to conduct mobile operations against insurgents, anti-government forces, and cross-border armed groups. It relies on light mechanized mobility, extensive experience in desert warfare, foreign support, and elite field units capable of operating in remote, infrastructure-limited regions.

In recent years, Chad has acquired various military equipment to strengthen its armed forces. According to SIPRI data, over the past five years, this includes four AH-4 155mm towed howitzers from China; several dozen Tygra vehicles, 18 MCAV-20s, and 60 Terrier LT-79 armored personnel carriers from the UAE; and one Aksungur drone, two Anka-S drones, several Hurkus-C trainer/combat aircraft, and 70 NMS armored personnel carriers from Turkey.

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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1875844537267210/

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