The drone sales are supporting China’s expansion across the Middle East, which is home to many strategic US military bases, as well as, future and current routes for Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. 

"As we speak the Chinese government is already exporting some of the most advanced military aerial drones to the Middle East, as it prepares to export its next-generation stealth UAVs when those come online," Esper said. "Also, Chinese weapons manufacturers are selling drones advertised as capable of autonomy, including the ability to conduct lethal, targeted strikes."

China’s AI killing drones are more frequently ending up in the skies above Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Nigeria, Yemen, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates.