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Yes, this is true based on recent reports. China’s National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) in Hunan province has developed a mosquito-sized drone, approximately 0.6 to 2 cm long and weighing about 0.2 to 0.3 grams, designed to mimic a mosquito’s appearance and flight. It features insect-like flapping wings, a sleek black body, and thin legs, equipped with miniaturized sensors, cameras, and microphones for covert surveillance and intelligence gathering. The drone was showcased on China Central Television’s military channel (CCTV-7) around June 14-20, 2025, with NUDT student Liang Hexiang describing it as a “mosquito-like robot” ideal for battlefield reconnaissance and special missions due to its near-invisibility and ability to evade conventional radar. Global concerns have indeed been raised about its potential misuse. Experts like Tracey Follows, a futurist, warned that future iterations could carry harmful materials or operate autonomously, posing risks for surveillance, privacy violations, or even targeted attacks, drawing comparisons to dystopian scenarios like the Black Mirror episode “Hated in the Nation.” Security analysts, including Timothy Heath from the Rand Corporation, noted its potential for espionage in hard-to-access areas like indoor spaces, though its battlefield impact may be limited due to short range and battery life. There are also fears of criminal exploitation, such as stealing personal data or infiltrating secure facilities. However, similar microdrone technologies are being developed globally, including the U.S.’s RoboBee by Harvard and Norway’s Black Hornet, indicating this is part of a broader trend in miniaturized robotics for military and civilian applications. While the drone’s capabilities are advanced, its current prototype status and limitations like battery life suggest it’s not yet a fully operational threat, but its development signals a shift toward next-generation surveillance and warfare tools.