Russia has reportedly been assisting China in developing airborne assault capabilities that analysts believe could support a future military operation targeting Taiwan. Leaked Russian documents analyzed by the Royal United Services Institute revealed contracts involving training, joint design work, and extensive transfers of specialized military hardware.
The cache contained around 800 pages. It included technical specifications, meeting minutes, equipment manifests, and payment schedules. Several papers referenced meetings between Russian and Chinese delegations held in Moscow on 9 March 2024. These discussions reportedly concerned performance testing of high-altitude parachute systems.
One contract outlined the transfer of 37 light amphibious assault vehicles, 11 anti-tank guns, and 11 airborne armored personnel carriers from Russia to China. The estimated cost reached USD 210 million for that tranche alone. Additional paperwork indicated advanced negotiations concerning further deliveries valued at nearly USD 584 million.
The systems included the Dalnolyot high-altitude parachute platform designed to deploy vehicles or troops from aircraft operating at eight thousand meters. That altitude would enable glide insertions across distances reaching 80 kilometers. Analysts described such technology as essential for covert infiltration behind coastal defenses during early attack phases.
China reportedly requested adaptation of the vehicles to support domestic communication suites, software systems, and ammunition standards. The Russian delegation agreed to provide engineering integration support. The documents detailed plans for both classroom instruction and live airborne training to be hosted within facilities located in both nations.
Experts from the Royal United Services Institute concluded that China lacked extensive combat experience in large-scale airborne operations. Russia maintained a historic emphasis on airborne doctrine despite tactical failures during the early stages of the Ukraine invasion. The partnership could accelerate Chinese capability development by nearly 15 years.
Such cooperation could significantly complicate strategic planning for Taiwan and allied defense partners. Airborne assault units equipped with mechanized assets could attempt seizure of airfields or critical infrastructure ahead of amphibious deployments. That scenario would require Taiwan to broaden defensive preparations beyond coastal fortifications.
Neither the government of Russia nor the government of China publicly confirmed or denied the authenticity of the leaked material. However, regional observers noted that similar military integration initiatives had increased steadily throughout the previous decade. Western governments are expected to intensify monitoring of future joint exercises.
FURTHER READING AND REFERENCE
- Danylyuk, O. V. and Watling, J. 26 September 2025. “How Russia is Helping China Prepare to Seize Taiwan.” Royal United Services Institute. Available online
Photo Credit: Presidential Executive Office of Russia / Putin-Xi Meeting / 2023 / Adapted / CC BY-SA 4.0