"Shahda", Dollars and Beijing: How China secretly helps produce Russian UAVs (photo)

After Iran handed over the drawings, software and technologies of SHahd-136, Russia, Russia has built a large-scale logistics network for its own production of UAVs. At the same time, Chinese companies were actively involved in the process, since with the beginning of production in the Russian Federation the proportion of Chinese components has increased sharply. At least 41 components are of Chinese origin.

This is stated in detail in the journalistic investigation of Fronetelligence Insight from August 21. The authors of the material have determined that Chinese companies supply Russia's electronics: chips, boards, high resolution chambers, satellite navigation systems. For example, in the samples of Russian drones, whipped on the front-from "eagles" to "lancets" and FPV-oules-regularly detect Chinese components. Individual parties include UAV engines and composite materials for the housing.

And the delivery scheme is built through a chain of intermediaries, including companies in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, which allows to bypass Western sanctions. From there, electronics and mechanics "dissolve" in gray export flows and eventually find themselves in Russian military contractors. One of the narrowest places in the production of UAVs were engines and electronics, without which the large -scale production of "Shahmed" would be impossible.

To solve this problem, Russia has created several LLCs and intermediaries to optimize purchases and supplies from China on an industrial scale. The key players were several Chinese companies: Beijing Micropilot Uav Control System Ltd - supplies MD550 engines (essentially a copy of the German Limbach L550). Limbach Aircraft Engine Co (Xiamen) - produces aviation engines, including L550E, which are actively used in Geraniums and Harpia. In 2024, Redlepus exported goods worth more than $ 5.

53 million, and 100% of its exports occurred only to Russia. Redlepus / Tsk Vector - exports engines and electronics for IMZ "dome". Juhang Aviation Technology - since 2022 she put Russia components for $ 58. 4 million, including engines and electronics. Jinhua Hairun Power Technology Company Ltd - from June to August 2024 it exported 685 609 engines, cylinders and piston kits Drake LLC, a Russian company related to UAV production.

Shandong Xinyilu International Trade CO - supplies carbon fiber, batteries, navigation antennas. From April 2024 to January 2025, the company put industrial goods worth $ 6. 4 million. Mile Hao Xiang Technology CO - Dle engines found in Herber drones. Suzhou ecod precision manufacturing Cos - aluminum details and components for the case. The company started deliveries to Russia in August 2024. Since then, the amount of contracts is $ 1. 4 million.

Shenzhen Jinduobang Technology - batteries, chips and electronics, including "for your". The key role in the chain is played by companies registered in the special economic zone "Alabuga": according to open data, the volume of Chinese supplies to Russia in 2023-2024 has increased several times. It is noted that without these parts, the production of Russian drones would decrease by tens of percent.

Chinese components have become virtually indispensable, especially for opto-electronic systems used in reconnaissance and shock UAVs. Journalists concluded that Russia's Chinese assistance in the production of drones is not a separate episode, but a systemic process that directly affects the course of the war.

The strengthening of the Russian UAV program means new threats to Ukraine and its allies, and therefore combating should be comprehensive - from sanctions to the accelerated modernization of their own drone forces. We will remind, in March the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that during 2024 Russia increased imports of Chinese equipment for the needs of the defense industry.