China is building drones for Russia
Russia has reportedly established a drone production program in China, aimed at supplying long-range attack drones for use against Ukraine. According to documents reviewed by Reuters and European intelligence sources, IEMZ Kupol, under the umbrella of Russia’s state-owned Almaz-Antey, has not only developed but also flight-tested a new drone model, the Garpiya-3 (G3), with assistance from Chinese specialists.
The documents indicate that Kupol has successfully scaled up production in China, with plans to deploy these drones in what Russia refers to as its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Exclusive: Russia has secret war drones project in China, intel sources say - https://t.co/A5xC8oWInC pic.twitter.com/aOGEWgEt2o
— Yoopya (@yoopya) September 25, 2024
Despite the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s claim of unawareness regarding the project, the implications of this partnership could be far-reaching. If confirmed, it would represent one of the most significant instances of Chinese involvement in the war, moving beyond the supply of dual-use technologies to the production of entire weapon systems.
Samuel Bendett, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, highlighted the risks for China in openly supporting Russia’s military endeavors, suggesting that Beijing might be cautious due to the threat of severe international sanctions. However, the documentation provided by Kupol to the Russian Defense Ministry outlines not just the development but also the readiness for serial production of these drones, indicating a deep level of cooperation.
🇨🇳🤬 Russia has established a weapons programme in China to develop and produce long-range attack drones, - Reuters
— MAKS 24 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) September 25, 2024
❗️Garpiya-3 can travel about 2,000 km with a payload of 50 kg. Samples of the G3 and other drones made in China have been delivered to Russia for further testing. pic.twitter.com/Cl7pqsc48D
The involvement of Chinese specialists in the design and possibly the production of these drones, like the G3, which reportedly can travel 2,000 km with a 50 kg payload, nearly proves the technological exchange between the two nations.
⚡️Russian footage of the encounter with the Reaper drone....very brief pic.twitter.com/ouPL2vteyQ
— Tony (@Cyberspec1) March 15, 2023
As of now, neither Russia’s Defense Ministry nor China’s Foreign Ministry have confirmed these reports, leaving much to speculation about the depth and extent of this military-industrial partnership.
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