Russia faces shortage of parts for drones and looks for workarounds

Restrictions imposed by the Chinese authorities on the export of drones have severely hampered their supply to Russia and led to a shortage of a number of components.

Source: Russian newspaper Kommersant

Details: The newspaper has learned that restrictions on drone exports imposed by China on 1 September led to the suspension of supplies of components and drones weighing more than 4 kilograms.

China's ban on exporting drones with military applications has led to the cessation of supplies, even of products that do not fall under the restrictions. For example, there is a shortage of drones used in agriculture, which weigh about 30-40 kilograms and are not produced in large quantities in Russia.

Russia has consistently sought to circumvent these restrictions through third countries, as well as by exploiting loopholes in the restrictions imposed.

Most of Russia's major drone manufacturers claimed they had replenished their parts stocks before the new rules came into force.

Some of the newspaper's sources explained that their suppliers are now trying to obtain licences. The sources said that processing of applications and paperwork may take six months to a year.

However, Ramil Shevokhutdinov, founder of the Jtilep agricultural UAVs manufacturer's representative office in Russia, explained that intermediaries from other countries might facilitate the process. However, the equipment supply will be twice as expensive in this case, and the delivery time will be several weeks longer.

One of the companies specified that they are currently waiting "to receive information on the supply of thermal imagers; as of mid-September, there is no clarity".

Furthermore, certain Russian drone manufacturers using foreign components have warned customers of a price increase of at least 20% due to the change in the currency exchange rate.

Background: On 31 July, China's Ministry of Commerce announced the introduction of export controls on high-performance uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can be used for military purposes.

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