Russia’s Secret War Drone Project in China New Intel Unveils Collaboration for Ukraine Conflict

Recent intelligence has uncovered a covert collaboration between Russia and China, involving the development and mass production of military drones for use in the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to sources from a European intelligence agency, Russia’s state-owned weapons company, IEMZ Kupol, has partnered with Chinese specialists to build and test advanced long-range attack drones in Chinese factories. The project's existence highlights a potential shift in China’s role in the conflict, despite Beijing's repeated denials of providing direct military support to Moscow.

Kupol, a subsidiary of Almaz-Antey, has been working on a drone model known as the Garpiya-3 (G3). According to documents reviewed by Reuters, this UAV was flight-tested in China with the aid of local experts. This project is part of Russia's larger strategy to deploy more advanced drones on the battlefield in Ukraine. The G3 is capable of carrying a 50 kg payload and has a range of up to 2,000 kilometers, making it a valuable asset for long-range strikes. Despite China's strict export controls on military technology, Kupol’s reports to Russia’s defense ministry indicate that the G3 and other models could be produced at scale in Chinese factories.

Kupol has allegedly already taken delivery of seven military drones manufactured in China, including two G3 units, which were delivered to its headquarters in Izhevsk, Russia. These drones are part of a broader effort to ramp up UAV production as the conflict in Ukraine continues to intensify. The shipments were facilitated by a Russian intermediary company, and payments were requested in Chinese yuan, further indicating deep cooperation between the two countries.

The project, if confirmed, marks a significant development in Russia’s drone warfare capabilities. China has largely refrained from openly supplying Russia with complete weapons systems since the Ukraine war began. Most assistance has been in the form of dual-use goods, such as electronic components, but whole UAVs delivered to Russia would signal a dramatic escalation in cooperation between the two nations.

The White House has expressed concerns over this revelation, suggesting that such a program could indicate China is providing lethal support to a U.S.-sanctioned Russian firm. Though there is no clear evidence that the Chinese government is directly involved, the existence of this drone production facility raises questions about Beijing’s role in the Ukraine conflict and its potential exposure to international sanctions. 

Experts remain divided over the implications of this partnership. Samuel Bendett, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), believes Beijing would be cautious about openly supporting Russia, as it could invite severe international sanctions. On the other hand, David Albright, a former U.N. weapons inspector, argues that establishing a drone production facility in China allows Russia to circumvent Western sanctions, gaining access to critical technologies such as advanced chips and components.

The G3, an improved version of the earlier Garpiya-A1 model, represents a significant leap in Russia’s drone capabilities. Kupol's plans go beyond just the G3. The company has indicated that within eight months, it could produce a Chinese-designed REM-1 attack drone capable of carrying a 400 kg payload, which would be comparable to the U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone, a cornerstone of American military UAV operations. 

The Kupol project is being carried out in collaboration with a Chinese company, Redlepus, and another Russian defense firm, TSK Vektor, according to separate documents. These entities plan to establish a joint research and manufacturing center in Kashgar, a special economic zone in China’s Xinjiang province. The facility, spread over 80 hectares, is expected to produce up to 800 drones annually once operational. However, the exact timeline for its completion remains unclear.

While both China and Russia have declined to comment on the details of this project, the emergence of the G3 drone and the plans for further production suggest a growing reliance on Chinese technology to bolster Russia's military capabilities. As both nations work to expand their UAV arsenals, drones have become increasingly crucial in modern warfare, providing critical advantages on the battlefield.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced that the Russian military had received 140,000 drones in 2023 and aimed to increase that number tenfold by the end of the year. This aggressive push to enhance drone capabilities underscores the importance of UAVs in shaping the future of warfare, particularly in conflicts like the one in Ukraine.

This revelation of Russia’s secret drone production in China could have significant geopolitical consequences, particularly if it is proven that Beijing is providing more than just components. The international community will be closely watching how this development unfolds and whether it will lead to further sanctions or diplomatic tensions between China and the West. 

As both Russia and Ukraine ramp up drone production, the battle for dominance in the skies over Ukraine continues to intensify, with the outcome likely to have far-reaching implications for the future of warfare.