Secretive Alliance Crafting Advanced Drones for War Zone

Boxes labeled "Made in China" on conveyor belts.

A covert partnership between Russia and China is raising international eyebrows as they develop long-range drones for use in the Ukraine conflict.

At a Glance

  • Russia has a secret program in China to develop and produce long-range kamikaze drones for the Ukraine conflict.
  • Two invoices showed delivery of seven made-in-China drones to Kupol’s headquarters in Izhevsk, Russia.
  • NATO is deeply concerned and engaged in discussions on the matter.
  • The White House views China’s involvement as troubling evidence of Beijing’s engagement in the conflict.

Russia’s Secret Drone Program

Russia has secretly initiated a program within China to develop long-range drones for the Ukraine war. This stealthy operation is being carried out by IEMZ Kupol, associated with the prominent Russian defense contractor Almaz-Antey. The drone, known as the Garpiya-3 (G3), is being built with crucial support from Chinese experts.

Leaked documents have exposed communications between Kupol and the Russian defense ministry regarding the new drone model’s development and flight testing in China. This clandestine initiative aims to bring about the full-scale production of the G3 drone on Chinese soil, ensuring rapid deployment for Russia’s military.

Rising Concerns and Denials

NATO has been informed about this covert operation, and spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah labeled the revelations as “deeply concerning.” The implications of these kinds of covert operations can be significant, potentially escalating the conflict in Europe.

While the White House has pointed to this program as evidence of Beijing’s involvement in military support to Russia, China’s foreign ministry denies any knowledge of this project. Officials emphasize Beijing’s strict controls on drone exports, maintaining a stance of neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Implications and Future Developments

With the G3 drone boasting a range of up to 2,000 kilometers and capable of carrying a 50-kilogram payload, its comparison to the US-made Reaper drone highlights its potential impact on the battlefield. Two G3 units have already made their way to Russia for further testing.

“It doesn’t matter if the Western long-range fire is superior if you are prohibited from using the missiles at the ‘fat’ targets such as railheads, supply dumps, and command structures within Russia,” he told Newsweek. “Until now, the savior for the Ukrainians has been the low Russian output of long-range drones. Any increase in availability, such as Chinese production, is a direct threat.”

Moreover, if these reports are confirmed, it would represent the first case of Chinese companies supplying Moscow with complete weapons systems. This reality underscores the importance of international scrutiny and reinforces the U.S. administration’s decision to sanction Chinese entities supporting Russian military actions.

Sources:

  1. Russia Secretly Developing War Drones in China: Leaked Docs
  2. Russia Secretly Building War Drones in China: Report

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