According to Reuters, the aggressor country has produced more than 2,500 Chinese-powered drones in just one year, with the Russians setting up production in a former cement factory.
The Russian Federation is building a new kamikaze drone using Chinese parts, Reuters reported on September 13, citing European intelligence sources and some documents.
Production of the long-range unmanned aerial vehicle called Harpy-A1 was started in 2023. The aggressor country managed to produce more than 2,500 such drones in a year. According to intelligence data, Harpy is deployed against military and civilian targets in Ukraine.
Samuel Bendett, a senior researcher at the Center for a New American Security, emphasized that if this information is confirmed, it will mean that Russia has abandoned its dependence on developments in Iran.
The Harpy prototype is said to be launched in the first half of 2023. By the end of the year, production had reached several hundred, and this year it has already more than doubled, reaching about 2,000 units.
Technical characteristics of the “Harpy”
According to media reports, the “Harpy” is very similar to the Shahed, but has many different features. In particular, we are talking about a unique bolted ring and the Limbach L-550 E engine. This engine was developed in Germany but is currently manufactured in China by Xiamen Limbach.
The take-off weight of the Harpy is less than 300 kilograms, and the maximum flight range is 1,500 kilometers. According to these indicators, the drone is close to the Iranian Shahed-136.
Where are new drones manufactured?
A contract to prepare the facility for the production of drones, worth more than 1 billion rubles, was signed in the first quarter of 2023. According to intelligence, the Russians are using a former cement factory in Izhevsk for this purpose. Journalists identified it by the color and design of the beams, as well as the interior design.
The plant purchased spare parts and 800 Chinese engines from Chinese companies. The European Intelligence Service is concerned that Chinese enterprises continue to sell components for the production of UAVs to the Russian Federation.
“We need to stop the export of key components to Russia,” the press service emphasized.
What else was provided from China?
100 axles, carburetors and other parts of the Limbach engine have been ordered for Harpies production in 2024. They were supplied by two Chinese companies: Juhang Aviation Technology and Redlepus Vector Industries. The former is already under sanctions from the United States and Great Britain due to the supply of drone equipment to the Russian Federation.
A total of $36.3 million worth of Juhang goods and $6.2 million worth of Redlepus goods were imported from April 2022 to December 2023. These included aircraft engines, transistors, electronic modules, connectors, plugs and sockets, spare parts and other components, most of which were described as “general civil” or “general industrial” products.
Beijing’s response
The Russian Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment on the situation, but the Chinese Foreign Ministry assured that the country tightly controls exports of products for potential military use, including drones.
“Regarding the Ukraine crisis, China has always been committed to promoting peace negotiations and a political solution,” the ministry said.
China also noted that there were no international restrictions on trade with Russia.
Let’s recall that at the Army-2024 arms exhibition in Russia, the new unmanned ground vehicle “Impulse-KPTM” was introduced. It is designed to carry out mine-blasting operations.
Sky News journalists spoke to residents of the Russian city of Orel, who are concerned about the risk of attack and the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Kursk operation. Despite memories of drones overhead, Russians stubbornly support the war and expect victory.
Source: Focus
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