The rainforests of the Great Lakes region are no longer providing the level of protection they once did for armed groups. Since late 2024, the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has increasingly shifted into the air, with the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) expanding the use of long-range drones to monitor and strike rebel positions hidden beneath dense forest cover. Instead of relying mainly on commercial quadcopters, FARDC has developed a drone capability centered on medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) platforms capable of operating over forested areas for up to 20–30 hours. The fleet includes Chinese CH-4 and CH-5 combat drones, operating from Bangoka International Airport in Kisangani, which has become one of the military's main drone hubs. These aircraft are equipped with laser-guided missiles for precision strikes. The military has also introduced Turkish TAI Anka-S drones for reconnaissance and multispectral surveillance, improving its ability to identify concealed rebel positions and supply routes. To protect key facilities, Kinshasa has deployed Indian D4 anti-drone systems, reportedly supported by foreign technical specialists.
Drones on the Front Line
The growing use of drones has already influenced operations in eastern DRC. In February 2026, a government drone strike near the mining town of Rubaya killed M23 military spokesperson Willy Ngoma, demonstrating the military's ability to locate senior rebel figures even in densely forested areas. Earlier the same year, FARDC carried out an intensive drone campaign around Minembwe in South Kivu, launching dozens of strikes against AFC/M23 and allied Twirwaneho positions. The attacks disrupted rebel artillery deployments and supply routes across the mountainous region. Rebel groups have also adjusted to the changing battlefield. Unable to match the government's larger UAVs, they have increasingly relied on commercially available drones and one-way attack systems to target military infrastructure, including reported attacks on the drone base at Kisangani. According to UN experts, several armed groups have also acquired Starlink satellite internet terminals, allowing them to maintain drone operations and communications even when local telecommunications are disrupted.
A New Reality
The widespread use of long-range UAVs has changed the tactical environment in eastern DRC. While drones have not altered the political dynamics of the conflict, they have significantly reduced the protection once offered by the region's dense forests. As a result, remote jungle camps are becoming increasingly vulnerable to aerial surveillance and precision strikes.
