Republican lawmakers are concerned that almost all of the drones used in Ukraine’s war against Russia are made in China.
Since the start of the war in 2021, drones – especially small, cheap Chinese ones – have been a weapon of choice for Ukrainian forces trying to fend off Russian forces.
As the use of drones has expanded from a reconnaissance tool to kamikaze-like single-use explosives, the Ukrainian government is increasingly relying on the tools to take out larger Russian targets such as tanks and vehicle convoys.
Now Republicans in the House of Representatives are sounding the alarm that almost all of the estimated 10,000 drones used by Ukraine per month come from a single Chinese manufacturer.
In fact, they are so concerned that a group of 11 lawmakers have sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demanding that he supply Ukraine with American-made small drones instead. They said this would mark a “geopolitical victory” for the US.
Ukrainian volunteers provide Ukrainian soldiers with more than a hundred units of DJI Mavic 3 drones and FPV (First-Person View) kamikaze drones. DJI drones are one of the most commonly used drones in war
“As the Department of Defense considers the delivery of additional assistance to Ukraine, we strongly encourage you to include the delivery of American-made small drones, which are essential for tactical success on the battlefield,” the Republicans wrote. week to Austin.
“These systems are the primary method for identifying targets, directing artillery fire, monitoring enemy positions, and enabling battlefield maneuvers and force protection.”
“On the front lines, Ukraine consumes about 10,000 of these small drones per month, most of which are made by one Chinese company.”
The letter was led by Rep. Rob Witman, R-Va., and was co-signed by Reps. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., Rich McCormick, R-Ga., Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., Jen Kiggans, R-Va. ., Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., Lance Gooden, R-Texas, Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., Michael Turner, R-Ohio and Don Bacon, R-Neb.
The lawmakers requested that Austin use some of the foreign aid money approved by Congress for Ukraine’s war effort to fund the U.S. drone initiative.
The demonstration of some of the 30 DJI Matrice 300 RTK drones purchased for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
A Ukrainian soldier looks at a screen during the flight of a suicide FPV drone over Russian positions in the Kharkiv region
A Ukrainian soldier puts on headphones to control his FPV drone while on the front lines of the war
“By obligating these and other matching funds, we strongly urge the inclusion of American-made small drones in the next aid package to Ukraine.”
“Without these drones, Ukrainian forces cannot conduct effective battlefield operations and must rely on unsafe drones from China, which are increasingly difficult to obtain.”
Interestingly, China has also supplied drone technology to Russia, multiple Biden administration officials have said.
Two officials who discussed the sensitive findings on condition of anonymity said that in 2023 about 90% of Russian microelectronics came from China, which Russia has used to make missiles, tanks and planes.
Chinese and Russian entities have also been working on joint production of unmanned aerial vehicles in Russia, and Chinese companies are likely supplying Russia with nitrocellulose needed to make propellant weapons, the officials said.
Russian tank explodes after being hit by a bomb dropped by a drone in Ukraine
Drones have been a particularly effective weapon against tanks without air defense
The Department of Defense and Rep. Wittman’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.
