Russia has reportedly set up a secret weapons program in China to develop and produce long-range attack drones for use in the war against Ukraine, according to two European intelligence sources and documents reviewed by Reuters. The Russian defense company IEMZ Kupol, a subsidiary of state-owned Almaz-Antey, has collaborated with Chinese specialists to create and test a new drone model, the Garpiya-3 (G3), in China. Kupol informed the Russian Defense Ministry that mass production of these drones, including the G3, was possible at a Chinese factory, with plans to deploy them in Ukraine.

While Chinas Foreign Ministry denied awareness of such a project and emphasized its strict drone export controls, experts suggest that if confirmed, this cooperation would represent a significant development. Intelligence sources revealed that Kupol has already received several drones, including two G3 units, from China for testing. Although Beijing denies supplying weapons to Russia, the new documents suggest that Kupol has gone beyond using Chinese parts, sourcing entire UAVs instead.

The G3 drone has a range of 2,000 km and can carry a 50 kg payload, making it highly effective for long-range operations. Plans also indicate that Kupol, in collaboration with Chinese and Russian firms, aims to establish a joint drone research and manufacturing facility in China’s Xinjiang province, capable of producing 800 drones annually. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently highlighted Russia’s growing drone capabilities, claiming the military had received 140,000 drones in 2023, with plans to increase production tenfold by 2024.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.