A CH-92A armed reconnaissance drone is delivered to Serbia. Photo: Website of Serbia's Ministry of Defense
CNBC: China took control of an Italian military drone maker without authorities knowing it, report says
* Two Chinese state firms took control of an Italian military drone maker in 2018 via an offshore company — without the knowledge of authorities in Italy and Europe, the Wall Street Journal reported.
* Italian police traced the purchase of 75% stake in Alpi Aviation to China Railway Rolling Stock Corp — a state-owned rail company — and an investment group controlled by the Wuxi municipal government, the report said.
* Italian authorities are investigating whether Alpi should have notified the Italian government of the stake sale, as well as whether Alpi had transferred technology and started production in China, according to the report.
Two Chinese state firms took control of an Italian military drone maker more than three years ago via an offshore company — without the knowledge of authorities in Italy and Europe, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
The offshore company, Mars (HK) Information Technology, started the process of transferring Alpi’s technical and intellectual property to a new production site in China, the report said.
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Update #1: China Bought Italian Military-Drone Maker Without Authorities’ Knowledge (WSJ)
Update #2: EU's ignorance of China buying up Italian military drone maker highlights blind spots: WSJ (Taiwan News)
WNU Editor: This purchase happened in 2018 and it is only now that the Italian government is voicing its opposition?!?!?!? .... Exclusive: Italy to make formal complaint over Chinese takeover of military drones firm - sources (Reuters).