THE nation is far outstripping other countries in patents filed for anti-drone technologies, a specialist law firm said, as the defences’ key place in modern warfare is highlighted anew in Middle East fighting.
With 82 patents filed out of a total of 126 worldwide in the year to March 2025, China dominated the rankings from intellectual property experts Mathys and Squire. The US accounted for just 22 anti-drone patents and South Korea six.
Expanding interest in the field was clear from its growth, up 27% from the 99 filed in the previous period.
“We’re seeing a lot of innovation in that area from China,” said Mathys and Squire partner Andy White, as Beijing has been making a “concerted effort” to encourage patent filing by businesses and individuals over the past decade, including with financial incentives, White noted.
Most of the patents – 49 in 2024-25 – were related to interference and jamming.
But the “next generation” is already in development, the law firm found, highlighting anti-drone lasers (39 patents) and microwave systems (24).
“I wouldn’t be surprised if in another one or two years, we see (the overall number) increase massively,” White said.
The data halting in March 2025 excludes developments from the United States, Iran and Israel conflict. — AFP
