Russia and China's disturbing (and secret) agreement
Russia has just launched a secret program in China. The goal? To produce attack drones to support its armed forces in Ukraine.
The Reuters news agency, based on several documents provided by European intelligence, reveals the information.
The Garpiya-3 (G3) drone was developed with the help of Chinese experts. The arms company IEMZ Kupol is behind the project. This type of long-range drone can travel more than 2,000km and carry a payload of 50kg.
According to the documents, Kupol is ready to increase its drone production in China. Russia has already received several models through intermediaries, including the G3. This is the first concrete evidence of the delivery of complete Chinese military drones to Russia since the start of the conflict in February 2022, reports the Belgian media RTBF. A discreet partnership between the two countries that marks a real turning point, with Beijing exposing itself to the risk of international sanctions. So far, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally denied this information and has guaranteed that it was not aware of this direct transfer of arms.
Another large-scale project was also revealed by Reuters: a Russian-Chinese center for research as well as production of drones could be created in the province of Xinjiang. The center could produce 800 drones per year. Moscow's military capacity would thus be strengthened.
This is a collaboration that worries Washington. The National Security Council considers that this is a possible example of lethal Chinese support for the Russian war machine, specifies RTBF.
(MH with Manon Pierre - Source: RTBF - Picture: picture alliance / newscom | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of R)