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Test footage emerged of what seems to be the #Chinese Sunflower 200 sacrificial UAV - the copy of the Iranian Shahed 136 drone.
These drones were previously shown at the Armiya-2023 expo in #Russia and could be used against #Ukraine.
A brief 🧵
The Shahed-136 (and the smaller 131) have been used by Russia against Ukraine since about September 2022 (also under the name Geran-2 (and 1).
The UAVs' avionics and navigation systems are primarily based on commercial-grade products with a warhead of 20-40kg (estimated).
The Sunflower 200 seems to be a direct copy of the Shahed-136 - range and speed, appearing similar to the Iranian drone.
However, the Sunflower's launch weight is 175kg versus the known 240kg of Shahed-136 - allowing the drone to take off more easily or even vertically.
A Ru Channel posted 2 videos of the Sunflower 200 being tested, stating: "Some beauty from Chinese manufacturers. Orders for the product are accepted".
Based on the still from the video and the posters on the wall (1st & 3rd 📷), the drone seems to indeed be the Sunflower 200.
This is a video of the Sunflower 200 taking off.
Here we can see it in the air.
Maybe someone could geolocate it?
The Sunflower 200 drones may end up being used by Russia in Ukraine.
However, even if China does not allow a direct export of these systems to Russia, components may still be transferred. Which would still support Russia's domestic Geran manufacturer, as the UAVs are so similar.
Sources
Telegram:
Information:
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-(@RUSI_org)
-t.me/uav_tech/20310…
en.defence-ua.com/news/china_sho…
rusi.org/explore-our-re…
iari.site/2023/06/11/ira…
By the way, it's been a year since Russia has used the Shahed drone in Ukraine: by @airwars and @derspiegel:
CC: @AbraxasSpa, @ForcesReviewUK, @Drone_Wars_UK, @thinkdefence , @IvanUlisesKK, @inbarspace, @fab_hinz, @haukefriederic1.
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