Russia has reportedly established a secret drone manufacturing programme in China to support its ongoing military campaign in Ukraine, according to sources from a European intelligence agency and documents reviewed by Reuters.
The Russian arms company IEMZ Kupol, a subsidiary of state-owned Almaz-Antey, is believed to be at the forefront of this operation. Kupol has reportedly developed a new long-range attack drone, the Garpiya-3 (G3), in China with the assistance of Chinese specialists.
According to the documents, Kupol has successfully tested the G3 and has initiated the production of drones on a large scale at a factory in China. These drones are intended for deployment in Ukraine, referred to by Moscow as part of its “special military operation.”
The involvement of Chinese companies in producing drones for Russia represents a significant development. If confirmed, this partnership would mark the first known instance of entire unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) being supplied by China to Russia since the beginning of the Ukraine war in February 2022.
Western Reactions and Concerns
The White House National Security Council expressed deep concern over the reports, emphasising that the collaboration between Russian and Chinese firms could constitute lethal assistance to Russia, potentially violating international sanctions. A spokesperson added that while the US has no evidence to suggest that the Chinese government was directly involved, China bears responsibility for ensuring that its companies do not provide lethal aid to Russia.
NATO has also expressed alarm over the reports, with a spokesperson stating that the situation is deeply concerning and that consultations among NATO allies are ongoing.
Similarly, the UK’s Foreign Office has urged China to halt both its diplomatic and material support for Russia’s war effort, citing this latest development as further evidence of Chinese involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
China’s Denial
The Chinese government, however, has denied any involvement in the project. Beijing has reiterated its neutral stance on the conflict and maintains that it has strict controls in place to prevent the export of military-grade drones.
A spokesperson from China’s Foreign Ministry told Reuters that there were no international restrictions on China’s trade with Russia and that accusations against Beijing represented “double standards” on arms sales, as Western governments have been supplying Ukraine with weapons throughout the conflict.
Fabian Hinz, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, remarked that the confirmed delivery of Chinese-made drones to Russia would be a notable escalation.
“So far, what we’ve seen is China supplying dual-use goods — components that could be used in weapon systems,” he said. “However, we haven’t had documented transfers of entire weapon systems until now.”
Despite these revelations, experts warn that China would likely be cautious about overtly aiding Russia’s military, as this could expose Beijing to international sanctions. Samuel Bendett, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, noted that more information is needed to confirm the extent of China’s involvement, adding that China would be wary of triggering severe diplomatic or economic consequences.
The G3 Drone and its Capabilities
The G3 drone, as outlined in the documents, is an upgraded version of Russia’s Garpiya-A1 UAV. Designed with assistance from Chinese experts, the G3 has a range of around 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) and can carry a payload of up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds). Kupol has reportedly received several of these drones at its headquarters in Izhevsk, Russia, for further testing.
Additionally, the reports indicate that Kupol’s collaboration with China is poised to expand. There are plans to develop a larger UAV, capable of carrying a 400-kilogram payload, in the coming months. European intelligence sources suggest that this new system could be comparable to the US Reaper drone, a highly effective weapon used in military operations.
Documents also reveal a proposal for a joint Russian-Chinese drone research and production centre in Xinjiang province’s Kashgar special economic zone. The facility, covering 80 hectares, would have the capacity to produce 800 drones per year, although no timeline has been provided for when this project might become operational.
Implications for the war in Ukraine
The growing use of drones has become a crucial element of the war in Ukraine, with both sides relying heavily on UAVs for reconnaissance, targeting, and strikes. The introduction of new, long-range drones into Russia’s arsenal could shift the balance of power on the battlefield, allowing Moscow to strike targets deeper within Ukrainian territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently stated that his military had received 140,000 drones in 2023, with plans to increase production tenfold in the coming year. The G3 and other drones developed through the Russian-Chinese partnership could play a vital role in this ambitious expansion.
Read also:
Putin Escalates Nuclear Threats to Deter Western Supply of Advanced Missiles to Ukraine
Click here for more News & Current Affairs at EU Today
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eutoday1049
