Chinese civil drone maker Aerospace Times Feipeng is advancing its global expansion push, starting with a focus on entering the Southeast Asian and Middle East markets, as it seeks to navigate around intense domestic competition, a company executive stated.
Harry Kang, president of Feipeng’s international business, spoke to Reuters at the Singapore Airshow, where the company is exhibiting for the second time, “The domestic Chinese market is too competitive. Going overseas is a step we must take.”
China, the world’s top drone-making nation, where manufacturers are now testing larger payloads while transport companies have started planning air taxi services both with and without crew. The country has loosened airspace restrictions and now offers incentives for the development of a “low-altitude economy.”
Increase Overseas Sales to 50%
At the Singapore show, Feipeng showcased two new drone models. The first is an inspection drone priced between $180,000 and $200,000. The second was a specialised platform designed for forest fire control and maritime rescue operations that was priced between $40,000 and $50,000.
The company intends to increase overseas sales from the current 10%-15% to 50% within three years. However, this timeline is dependent on factors such as regulatory acceptance and market confidence, Kang said.
Feipeng’s international expansion began in 2024, after unveiling its FP-981C Sagittarius Cargo drone priced approximately at $400,000 to $420,000 during last year’s Airshow. The company decided to name their drones based on all 12 zodiac signs for impact and to make them memorable for international consumers.
Despite the competitive nature of the industry, Kang emphasised that the company holds a pricing edge. Feipeng drones generally cost less than international competitors thanks to its fully domestic supply chain.
Target Market of the Year: Indonesia
The company’s focus on Southeast Asia and the Middle East has been due to an increased demand from those markets. They have seen annual revenues exceeding 100 million yuan for two consecutive years according to Kang, and now hope to expand in key markets such as Indonesia, Malysia and Thailand.
Indonesia is a crucial market for the company, comprised of over 17,000 islands, and the country has already partnered with government agencies in charge of emergency and disaster response efforts, Kang said. The Indonesian customers have generated the most inquiries at the company’s airshow booth, he added. “It’s our main target market of the year.”
In the Middle East, Kang believes that drones may offer the solution to logistical challenges in desert environments. The company is currently eyeing opportunities in Saudi Arabia, the largest market in the region.
(With inputs from Reuters)
