China has helped Russia make its Shahed-type attack drones faster and more difficult for Ukraine to intercept by supplying key components, including turbojet engines.
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China has become a crucial hub in the global supply chain that allows Iran and Russia to obtain components for Shaheds, including engines, servomotors, gyroscopes, and electronics.
Ukrainian officials who examined captured Russian drones said newer models are increasingly equipped with Chinese-made components.
The shift became particularly evident in early July, when Russia used turbojet-powered Shaheds in a massive attack on Kyiv. The new drones can reportedly reach speeds of around 300 miles per hour (483 km/h) – roughly three times faster than older propeller-driven versions.
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Ukraine has said the engines powering some of these drones were made by Telefly Telecommunications Equipment, a Chinese company based in Shenzhen that produces computer and communications equipment as well as small microturbine engines for drones.
After Ukraine publicized the discovery of its engines in Russian drones, the turbojet section disappeared from the company’s English-language website, although it remained available on Chinese-language pages and through other Chinese vendors.
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China is a key link in Shahed production
The Shahed was originally developed by Iran, which itself relied heavily on foreign technology and components. Early Iranian drones were primarily designed for reconnaissance and air support, but their limited accuracy eventually pushed engineers toward one-way attack drones that could cause significant damage even without precision targeting.
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Russia, which calls the drones Geran, frequently launches Shaheds alongside ballistic and cruise missiles to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. While the missiles carry much heavier warheads, Shaheds are relatively inexpensive and can be deployed in large numbers.
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