(Yicai Global) March 27 -- Guangtai Airport Equipment will supply  target drones and other supporting devices to a unit of China's military  in a CNY22.8million (USD3.4 million) deal.

GAE has received a letter of acceptance for providing the products,  the Weihai-based firm said in a statement without providing specific  details.

The civil airport equipment provider develops and manufactures  unmanned aerial vehicles able to complete many highly-difficult flight  tasks, the statement said, adding that the related research and  development is progressing smoothly. 

This marks the first time that the firm has won the bidding for a  top-tier military contract and is its largest successful bid for a drone  project to date. 

The deal lays a solid foundation for other bids on contracts for  other military branches and divisions. GAE has now inked military drone  contracts worth CNY33 million so far this year. 

Editor: William Clegg