Chinese company discusses supplying drones to Russia

Russia is negotiating with a Chinese manufacturer to buy 100 drones for delivery in April, fromGerman magazine Der Spiegel reported on Thursday without citing specific sources.
In recent days, the United States, Germany and other Western countries have urged China not to sell arms to Russia to wage war on Ukraine, saying such a move would have serious consequences. consequences.
Western powers accuse Russia, which is under heavy Western sanctions in response to aggression on Ukraine, of buying weapons from Iran and North Korea, including drones. However, China has not yet sold arms to Russia to wage war on Ukraine.
Der Spiegel writes that Chinese drone maker Xian Bingo Intelligent Aviation Technology has said it is ready to produce 100 prototypes of the ZT-180 drone, which the magazine says can carry a warhead weighing 35 to 50 kg.
“I told the Chinese representatives that we cannot accept this,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told ZDF on Thursday, when asked about less specific reports that China might be helping Russia with weapons.
According to the German publication, the drone is similar to Iran’s Shaheed-136, with which Russia has carried out countless attacks against Ukraine, killing hundreds and severely damaging civilian infrastructure.
The publication says Xian Bingo plans to help set up a drone production site in Russia, where up to 100 drones can be produced per month.
Previously, the company, controlled by the Chinese military, planned to send spare parts for the Su-27 fighter jet to Russia.