China could massively supply Sunflower-200 kamikaze drones to Russia.

Recent videos appearing on Twitter have showcased tests of China's Sunflower-200 drone, a version strikingly similar to Iran's Shahed-136 kamikaze drone. This development comes as Russia is already deploying its Geran-2 drone, a Russian version of the Shahed-136, in Ukraine. This could potentially indicate that Russia has found a new supplier for large-scale kamikaze drones.
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The Sunflower-200 drone was first unveiled at the Armiya-2023 defense exhibition in Russia (Picture source: China DoD )

The Sunflower-200 drone was first unveiled at the Armiya-2023 defense exhibition in Russia. It bears a remarkable resemblance to Iran's Shahed-136 and Russia's Geran-2 drones. Designed to be a direct copy of the Shahed-136, it has similar capabilities and roles. Test videos show the Sunflower-200 launching from a rail platform and striking ground targets, advertising its capabilities on social media.

The Sunflower-200 has a launch weight of 175 kilograms, compared to Shahed-136's 240 kilograms. This lighter weight allows for quicker or even vertical take-offs. The drone has a 3.2-meter-long fuselage, a 2.5-meter wingspan, and a 40 kg warhead. It has an attack range of 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers and a cruising speed ranging from 160 to 220 km/h. These specificities are more or less in line with those of the Shahed-136.

Iran has already emerged as a significant drone power, and the Sunflower-200 suggests that China is following suit. This proliferation could potentially enhance Russia's drone capabilities, as it has been using the Geran-2 in Ukraine to target energy and power generation infrastructure.

The Sunflower-200 could pose a significant threat to Ukraine, especially given China's advanced electronic-electrical circuitry and components. This technological edge could make the Chinese drone more effective than its Iranian and Russian counterparts, potentially changing the dynamics on the battlefield.