China Helped Russia Build a Shahed Drone Factory Producing Over 3,000 Attack Drones a Month

Russia’s Alabuga manufacturing complex has reportedly reached a production capacity of more than 3,000 gasoline-powered Shahed-type attack drones per month, supported by Chinese industrial equipment, engine components, batteries, and navigation technology.

According to Defense Express on October 19, citing research by the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Chinese companies supplied critical materials and manufacturing technology that helped Russia expand production of Geran-2 drones at its Alabuga facility in Tatarstan.

The report identifies several categories of Chinese assistance documented during 2024, including more than 685,000 components intended for Shahed drone engines, with an estimated combined value of $900,000. China also reportedly supplied 7,800 lithium-ion batteries used in the production process.

Beyond individual components, Chinese suppliers provided an industrial production line for manufacturing the airframes of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles. The equipment supported Russia’s efforts to establish domestic production capabilities rather than rely exclusively on imported, fully assembled drones.

The CSIS findings also indicate that Chinese authorities facilitated contacts between Russian defense contractors and Chinese industrial partners, helping establish supply relationships for the Alabuga production program.

Chinese technology reportedly contributed to the development of navigation systems designed to operate under electronic warfare conditions.

Russian engineers drew on research from the Beijing Institute of Microelectronics Technology while developing anti-jamming antennas for Shahed-type drones. Chinese manufacturer Harxon also supplied satellite navigation antennas that were reportedly classified as agricultural products during export.

Defense Express emphasized that the figures examined in the CSIS research cover documented Chinese deliveries during 2024. The limited reporting period does not establish whether similar assistance continued or stopped in 2023 or between 2025 and 2026.

The outlet reported that Alabuga’s current manufacturing capacity exceeds 3,000 gasoline-powered Shahed-type drones per month, alongside more than 3,500 jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones. The figures describe reported production capacity rather than independently verified monthly output.

China has also been linked to Russia’s ballistic missile production. In January 2026, reports revealed that Chinese precision machinery and dual-use technology were supporting the production of nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles.

Chinese machinery and dual-use exports to Russia were valued at approximately $10.3 billion, including equipment used at the Votkinsk plant, which manufactures Oreshnik and Iskander-M missiles.

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