Exports of China's drones soared in 2015

Civilian drones have become another of China's hot-selling tech products in global markets, with exports accounting for USD 412 million last year, in a nearly 10-fold increase from the previous year.
According to customs in the southern city of Shenzhen, where 99 per cent of China's civilian drones are exported from, exports amounted to 2.7 billion yuan (USD 412 million) between January and November, which was 9.2 times of the same period in 2014.
The Shenzhen-based technology firm DJI, a leading manufacturer of commercial and recreational drones for aerial photography and videography, has gained control of almost 70 per cent of the civilian drone market share worldwide, with Europe and North America its biggest customers, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The customs figures showed that 43 per cent of the exports were sent to Hong Kong before being shipped to the Americas and Europe.
While, 18 per cent of the export was shipped directly to the US.
Civilian drones are being used more and more for security and agriculture.

Founded in 2006, DJI's international fame started off in Hollywood where its drones were widely used in filming movies and TV shows.
China now has 400 firms involved in making drones.
DJI International hit the headlines last year when Pakistan claimed to have shot down a drone made by the firm along Line Of Control (LoC), saying it was India's.

New Delhi dismissed the claim, saying that the the type of drone was not part of the inventory of its forces.