The West is prepping for drone warfare. China still has the batteries

Ukraine has demonstrated that a country does not need the world’s largest defense budget to develop a formidable drone industry. In just a few years, Ukrainian manufacturers have turned inexpensive unmanned systems into important battlefield weapons. Yet much of this success depends on components produced thousands of miles away, particularly in China.

This exposes a problem beyond Ukraine. Western governments are investing heavily in military production, but domestic manufacturing means little if essential components depend on a strategic competitor.