Russia Launches Shaheds Using Chinese-made Catapult Mounts

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has uncovered components made in China in the Shahed drones used by Russia during the July 4 overnight attack on Kyiv — including mounts for catapult-based launches.

According to the SSU, investigators identified fragments of the drone’s fuselage marked with the manufacturer’s name: Suzhou Ecod Precision Manufacturing Co., Ltd, a Chinese firm specializing in high-precision metalwork, rapid prototyping, and the production of complex parts.

The discovered part is a mount used for catapult launches of the Shahed drone (also known in Russia as Geran-2), which significantly accelerates the launch process and lowers costs compared to vehicle-based or booster-assisted methods.

The use of catapults allows Russian forces to deploy large numbers of drones more efficiently, reducing reliance on more expensive and time-consuming methods.

The SSU noted that this latest discovery points to a deepening role of Chinese companies in Russia’s drone production, moving beyond electronics and engines to include direct fabrication of airframe components.

This is not the first instance of Chinese parts appearing in Russian UAVs, but Ukrainian authorities emphasize the significance of physical drone structures now being manufactured in China — not just acquired through commercial channels.

The SSU also recalled a 2024 case involving a 72-year-old Kharkiv-based scientist, detained for allegedly helping the Russian defense sector develop engine and catapult upgrades for Shahed-type drones.

According to the investigation, he transmitted blueprints and designs to the director of a Russian machine-building plant via email and messenger apps, under the pretense of scientific collaboration.

That plant has reportedly worked with Russia’s drone manufacturing industry since at least 2023.