Ukrainian Defense Minister Says Actively Reducing Dependence on Chinese Drones, Ukraine and Russia Compete for Components in China

Mykhailo Fedorov, the new Ukrainian defense minister, told the media that the Ukrainian army will begin to equip itself with domestic alternatives to replace the Chinese DJI Mavic series drones, and introduce revolutionary mission control systems, as well as establish specialized units to pursue Russian drone operators, among other new policies.

Fedorov told reporters that Ukraine is preparing an alternative to the Mavic series drones. Fedorov said that Ukraine is actively working to reduce its reliance on Chinese drones.

Fedorov explained, "We have already tested a solution this month. We will launch our own Mavic-like product - same camera, but longer flight range." He did not reveal the manufacturer of Ukraine's version of the Mavic drone.

Although Ukraine has developed a large number of "suicide" attack drones, as well as defensive drones used to shoot down Russian drones, the retail Mavic series drones are still widely used by both sides for frontline aerial reconnaissance.

The Mavic series drones are very popular with the Ukrainian military and often receive support from volunteer groups, which continuously conduct activities to find sources of this series of drones and raise funds to purchase them.

According to a report by the Financial Times, in the attrition war between Russia and Ukraine, drones have become the most decisive and fastest developing weapon, causing three-quarters of recent casualties. Both sides have started to develop their own drone production capabilities, but mostly rely on Chinese components.

Therefore, both armies now depend on the same Chinese suppliers, who provide processors, cameras, and motors that determine the flight range and clarity of the drones - and these components cost only one-third of the price of Western counterparts.

The report mentioned that far away from the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine war, their supply chains intersect in the monotonous industrial parks and unremarkable high-rise office buildings in Guangdong and Shenzhen. Here, companies that produce micro-components that keep the drone war running are carefully orchestrating a delicate balance to ensure that representatives of Russia and Ukraine never meet in the same workshop.

According to market analysis firm Drone Industry Insights, China has produced 70% to 80% of the world's commercial drones and dominates the production of key components such as speed controllers, sensors, cameras, and propellers.

Catarina Buchatskiy of the Kyiv-based military think tank "Snake Island Institute" said, "This clearly shows how much actual control China has over the outcome of this war."

Buchatskiy added, "They can choose whether to provide drones to Ukraine. I mean, drones have now become a very important weapon on the battlefield. This highlights how China has developed into a truly influential player."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stated that "China has always upheld an objective and fair position on the Ukraine issue," and "has never provided lethal weapons to any side of the conflict," and "has always strictly controlled the export of dual-use items including drones."

The report pointed out that while Moscow and Washington are still bargaining over difficult-to-achieve ceasefire agreements, the situation on the Ukraine-Russia battlefield is increasingly being decided in exhibitions in Guangdong and Zhejiang, WeChat groups, and friendships established over baijiu in hotel bars.

Buchatskiy said, "It's too crazy because our border is in the midst of war, while on the other continent, the warring parties are in the same group chat..."

The report mentioned that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and others have repeatedly claimed that the Chinese government helps Russia import drone technology by selectively enforcing export controls.

Last May, Zelenskyy said, "We once relied on Chinese Mavic drones... Their (sales) are currently banned for Ukraine, but still open for Russia." Zelenskyy said at the time, "Our forces now produce drones themselves."

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1855041312331776/

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