Chinese Experts Reportedly Assist Russia in Drone Development
Chinese drone specialists have travelled to Russia to help with the development of military drones at IEMZ Kupol, a state-owned weapons manufacturer under Western sanctions, according to documents and European security officials.
Repeated Visits to Russian Weapons Plant
The experts have visited Kupol more than six times since mid-2023. During this period, the company also received deliveries of Chinese-made attack and surveillance drones through a Russian intermediary. In September 2023, Reuters reported that Kupol had worked with Chinese specialists in China to develop the Garpiya-3 drone. Now, new details suggest deeper Chinese involvement in Russia’s drone programme inside the country.
Officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said the collaboration points to a closer relationship between Kupol and Chinese firms. They noted that drones are playing a critical role in Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Kremlin, Russia’s defence ministry, and Kupol have not commented. China’s foreign ministry said it was unaware of the collaboration and insisted Beijing does not supply lethal weapons or uncontrolled dual-use items.
Deliveries of Chinese Drones
Documents reviewed by Reuters show Kupol received more than a dozen one-way attack drones last year, made by Sichuan AEE, a Chinese manufacturer. These were supplied by TSK Vektor, a Russian defence procurement firm already under US and EU sanctions.
Flight tests took place in late 2024 at the Chebarkul military site in Russia’s Chelyabinsk region. Chinese experts reportedly assembled the drones in Izhevsk and trained Kupol staff before supervising test flights. Invoices show AEE later billed TSK Vektor more than 5 million yuan ($700,000) for upgraded A200 drones fitted with anti-jamming systems.
Involvement of a Second Chinese Firm
Kupol also tested drones from another Chinese company, Hunan Haotianyi. Its HW52V drone, which can carry out surveillance and strike missions, was evaluated in 2023. Airline records suggest senior executives from both Hunan Haotianyi and TSK Vektor travelled together from Siberia after a drone exhibition.
Reports from Kupol also mention Chinese experts visiting its facilities to adapt new engines and flight control systems for the Garpiya drone. Other documents indicate joint work on a new drone referred to as GA-21, which European officials believe resembles Iran’s Shahed-107 model.
Growing Concerns Over China-Russia Military Links
Western governments have repeatedly raised alarms over Chinese firms supplying Russian arms producers. Although China denies providing direct military support, experts argue Chinese components are now a vital part of Russia’s drone supply chain.
Samuel Bendett, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said: “Chinese parts have an enormous impact on Russian systems, especially drones.”
with inputs from Reuters
