Equatorial Guinea acquires Chinese UAVs

One of two Harbin Z-9WE helicopters that participated in the graduation ceremony. (La Vicepresidencia (Equatorial Guinea))

Equatorial Guinea now has unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that were acquired from the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), it was revealed when the personnel who will operate the new aircraft graduated on 18 June.

State media reported that the graduation ceremony for personnel who had been trained to operate and maintain helicopters and UAVs by CATIC for 18 months in China and Equatorial Guinea was held at President Obiang Nguema International Airport in Mengomeyén and attended by Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, who is responsible for defence and security.

A video released by the vice-president's office showed about 30 air force personnel graduating during the event, which also included a flight demonstration by two Harbin Z-9WE armed helicopters (FA-HC 07 and FA-HC 08).

While the UAVs that have been acquired were not shown or named, it was stated that the graduates had accumulated 3,177 hours of flying and live-fire exercises on both types in Bata and Djibloho, suggesting the UAVs can also carry weapons.

The acquisition of at least one Z-9WE was revealed in November 2024 when state media showed the vice-president inspecting FA-HC 08 at the airbase at Malabo's international airport. Harbin, the Z-9's manufacturer, is part of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), which is represented internationally by CATIC. Another AVIC subsidiary, Chengdu, makes the Wing Loong series of armed medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs.