During his visit to China, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned Chinese officials against continuing to supply weapons to Russia. The warning came amid reports from American intelligence sources, claiming that Chinese companies have filled the gaps left by Western companies since the invasion of Ukraine and are now providing weapons components to Russia. According to intelligence sources, this import has significantly advanced the Russian defense industry and effectively restored its capabilities to those of the Soviet Union era.
The weapons components that China has sent to Russia include machinery, microelectronics, drone and missile engines, UAVs, and nitrocellulose, an explosive material used in the production of artillery shells. Russian military doctrine emphasizes the extensive use of artillery, thereby increasing Russia’s demand for Chinese nitrocellulose, which is used to produce three times as many artillery shells as the West. This enables Russia to continue fighting in accordance with its plans.
China’s supply of these components could affect the regional balance, especially the strengthening of ties between Russia, China, and Iran. By supplying these components, China enables Russia to enhance its military capabilities, potentially leading to increased cooperation between Russia and its allies, including arms sales and joint military exercises. In addition, China and Iran could learn lessons from the war in Ukraine. China could use the proceeds from these sales to develop additional weapons systems, some of which may find their way into Iran.PAUL
While the Chinese weapon parts are crucial to Russia’s war in Ukraine, they could also transform Russia into a threat to Western Europe as well as strengthen the threat posed by Iran to Israel.
During his visit to China, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned Chinese officials against continuing to supply weapons to Russia. The warning came amid reports from American intelligence sources, claiming that Chinese companies have filled the gaps left by Western companies since the invasion of Ukraine and are now providing weapons components to Russia. According to intelligence sources, this import has significantly advanced the Russian defense industry and effectively restored its capabilities to those of the Soviet Union era.
The weapons components that China has sent to Russia include machinery, microelectronics, drone and missile engines, UAVs, and nitrocellulose, an explosive material used in the production of artillery shells. Russian military doctrine emphasizes the extensive use of artillery, thereby increasing Russia’s demand for Chinese nitrocellulose, which is used to produce three times as many artillery shells as the West. This enables Russia to continue fighting in accordance with its plans.
China’s supply of these components could affect the regional balance, especially the strengthening of ties between Russia, China, and Iran. By supplying these components, China enables Russia to enhance its military capabilities, potentially leading to increased cooperation between Russia and its allies, including arms sales and joint military exercises. In addition, China and Iran could learn lessons from the war in Ukraine. China could use the proceeds from these sales to develop additional weapons systems, some of which may find their way into Iran.PAUL
While the Chinese weapon parts are crucial to Russia’s war in Ukraine, they could also transform Russia into a threat to Western Europe as well as strengthen the threat posed by Iran to Israel.