MOSCOW, — Chinese company Jiangxi Guangbo Optoelectronic Technology is marketing ultra-long fiber-optic cable reels of up to 100 kilometres to Russian customers, offering equipment that could extend the operating range of drones resistant to electronic warfare.
According to an investigation by The Insider, reported by Militarnyi, the company offers reels measuring 70, 80 and 100 kilometres, priced at 300 Chinese yuan per kilometre. A 100-kilometre reel costs approximately 30,000 yuan ($4,515).
The company presented its products at Russia's Fleet 2026 naval exhibition in Kronstadt. Along with ready-made cable reels, it offers industrial machines for winding fiber-optic cables onto drone spools. It also has a presence in St. Petersburg and promotes its products through a Russian-language Telegram channel.
How Fiber-Optic Drones Work
Unlike conventional radio-controlled drones, fiber-optic drones use physical cables to transmit control signals and video during flight. This makes them highly resistant to electronic warfare because their communication links do not depend on radio signals that can be jammed.
Longer cables could extend drone operating ranges. However, larger reels increase aircraft weight, potentially reducing speed, maneuverability and payload capacity.
Russian Production Disruptions Increase Reliance on China
China supplied more than 500,000 kilometres of fiber-optic cable to Russia in August 2025, according to Chinese customs data cited in reports by Militarnyi.
Russia's domestic production has faced major difficulties. Its main fiber-optic manufacturing facility, Optic Fiber Systems in Saransk, was hit by Ukrainian drone attacks in April and May 2025, disrupting production. The shutdown forced Russian authorities to postpone mandatory domestic sourcing requirements for fiber-optic cables by at least two years.
A documented transaction also shows that Moscow-based Smart Opt Trading LLC received a declaration of conformity on June 26, 2026, for customs clearance of a 30-kilometre fiber-optic reel manufactured by Jiangxi Guangbo.
Beyond fiber-optic equipment, the Chinese company also promotes AI-assisted interceptor drones, including its HJ-7 model, and offers cooperation with Russian partners on technologies for specific applications, including underwater systems and torpedo weapons.
The developments highlight Russia's reliance on Chinese suppliers for specialized drone components as domestic manufacturing faces production challenges. Beijing has publicly maintained a position of neutrality in the conflict while maintaining export restrictions on certain drones and military-use equipment.
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