Ukrainian manufacturers actively use Chinese components to create affordable and effective weapons.
China announced a significant reduction in the supply of drones and their components. This could affect the course of the war in Ukraine.
This was reported by Bloomberg, citing its own sources.
Chinese manufacturers have already begun to restrict sales of key components to the United States and Europe. We are talking about engines, batteries and flight controllers. These are the first steps towards new export rules that may be introduced in the near future. The new restrictions may include a requirement to obtain licenses or notify the government of planned deliveries, the article says.
Ukraine, which relies heavily on access to cheap Chinese components, may experience significant difficulties due to these restrictions. The production of drones, which has become strategically important in the context of the war, is under threat.
Bloomberg writes that the situation is aggravated by the escalation of the trade conflict between China and the United States. In response to the restrictions imposed by Washington on the export of microchips to China, Beijing banned the sale of dual-use goods to American companies. Many Western countries are already looking for alternatives to Chinese supplies, but the dependence on Chinese manufacturers remains significant.
According to Lorenz Mayer, director of Auterion, a company that supplies software for drones to Ukraine, the restrictions could become a serious obstacle to ongoing projects.
“I hear such a story every two or three days,” he noted.
Ukrainian manufacturers actively use Chinese components to create affordable and effective weapons. UAVs have become the main tool for performing reconnaissance and combat missions. In July 2023, China already announced a ban on the export of drones for military use, stating that it does not support either side in the conflict.
Washington is actively monitoring the situation. The US State Department and the Commerce Department are working to find alternative suppliers, including motors, batteries and magnets. The Pentagon has also blacklisted several Chinese companies that it believes are linked to the Chinese military. However, these restrictions do not yet eliminate the overall dependence on Chinese technology.
According to Tom West, acting head of the US State Department's Office of Sanctions Coordination, Chinese exports of drone components help Russia strike at civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
Ukraine and its partners are now looking for new sources of drone technology supplies. In particular, in countries such as South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. China remains a leading producer of cheap components, but global efforts to reduce dependence on China continue.
The restrictions are a carefully considered decision by Beijing, according to Keegan McBride of the Oxford Internet Institute. According to him, how strictly they will adhere to these rules will be shown by their seriousness.
Ukraine will simultaneously face the need to quickly adapt to new conditions, because drone technology remains an important element of its military strategy.
Recall that The Wall Street Journal writes that The Russian Federation launched four times more UAVs and missiles at Ukraine this fall than last fall . Recent months have seen a significant increase in the number of Russian targets on the screens of Ukrainian air defense fighters. The reasons are the launch of a drone manufacturing plant in Russia and the receipt of ammunition from North Korea.
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