# Azawad rebels deploy advanced drones in Northern Mali

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2025/02/azawad-rebels-deploy-advanced-drones-in-northern-mali/
- Published: 2025-02-17T14:33:24+01:00
- Author: Military Africa

In the ongoing conflict in northern Mali, fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front(
FLA) have been spotted using advanced drone technology. A video circulating on social
media showcases a fighter operating a VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) drone,
marking a new chapter in the region’s warfare.

Army general staff said the military had intercepted a “terrorist” drone after the
FLA said the mainly Tuareg group’s fighters had “brought down a Malian army helicopter
in Tessalit” in the country’s northeast late Tuesday.

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The drone in question is believed to be the FDG 410, manufactured by Chinese company
Flydragon. This model is primarily a civilian surveillance drone, capable of carrying
a payload up to 10 kg with an operational endurance ranging from 90 minutes to three
and a half hours. Its electric propulsion allows it to reach altitudes of up to 
4,500 meters, making it both quiet and hard to detect. The drone is equipped with
an FDC2 camera featuring a dual x30 zoom, capable of observing targets from 15 kilometers
away.

![Azawad rebels deploy advanced drones in Northern Mali](https://www.military.africa/
wp-content/uploads/2025/02/drone-fla-620x330-1.jpg)

A screen grab of the FlyDragon drone being operated by Azawad rebels against Malian
national army. (Image via X)

![Azawad rebels deploy advanced drones in Northern Mali](https://www.military.africa/
wp-content/uploads/2025/02/images-87.jpeg)

Chinese-made FDG 410 FlyDragon drone

This isn’t the first instance of drone usage in Mali’s conflicts. Previously, Wagner
Group mercenaries were seen [employing FPV (First-Person View) drones ](https://www.military.africa/2024/10/wagner-operating-kub-loitering-munition-in-mali/)
during the Tinzawaten ambush in July 2024. Also, the CSP rebel group has used drones
to target Wagner forces in Mali.

However, the deployment of a VTOL drone by the Azawad rebels introduces a new tactical
layer to the conflict.

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Reports indicate that this drone technology was pivotal in the downing of a [Malian army helicopter ](https://www.military.africa/2024/07/rebels-shoot-down-malian-mi-24-hind-helicopter-in-ambush/)
in the Tessalit region, north of Kidal, showcasing its potential impact on military
operations.

The increasing use of drones by non-state actors in Northern Mali for both surveillance
and direct combat roles presents a growing challenge for regional militaries. This
development not only escalates the technological arms race but also underscores 
the urgent need for [comprehensive counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) strategies. ](https://www.military.africa/2023/12/anti-drone-technologies-in-africa-all-you-need-to-know/?amp=1)
African nations, particularly those in conflict zones, are now compelled to bolster
their defenses against such aerial threats.

For instance, the European Union training mission (EUTM) Mali is a military operation
that aims to support the Malian armed forces in restoring stability and security
in the country are known to operate and [deployed a cutting-edge anti-drone technology called DroneDefender](https://www.military.africa/2024/01/how-dronedefender-protects-eu-hq-in-mali-from-aerial-threats/),
developed by Battelle, a US-based research and development organization. DroneDefender
is a device that can disrupt the control and navigation of unwanted drones, rendering
them harmless and preventing them from reaching their targets.

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This incident highlights the evolving nature of warfare in Africa, where technology
once exclusive to state militaries is now accessible to various groups, thereby 
complicating security dynamics. As the landscape of warfare changes, so too must
the strategies to counter these emerging threats.

Despite the growing threat posed by drones in Africa, many [African militaries are falling short in fielding adequate counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solutions](https://www.military.africa/2023/04/counter-uav-african-militaries-playing-catch-up-despite-presence-of-drone-threat/?amp=1),
leaving security forces vulnerable to emerging threats.

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