In addition, the Russian Ministry of Defense, Federal Security Service, and Federal Space Agency have already announced that mobile phone operators, including those cooperating with Huawei on 5G networks, will choose the most suitable frequencies for 5G deployment (from 3.4 to 3.8GHz band). Used in Russian security equipment.
Reaching Up: Enhanced satellite navigation and observation
Satellite technology, another means by which Russia can augment its military capabilities, is already the focus of intense cooperation between Russia and China. These tools collect valuable imagery, weather, and terrain data. Improve logistics management. Track and predict troop movements. Increase the accuracy of ground target identification and elimination.
Since 2014, Russia and China have been discussing cooperation between Russia’s satellite positioning system GLONASS and its Chinese counterpart BeiDou. Russia has repeatedly tested GLONASS/Beidou compatibility on Russian transport routes along the Belt and Road corridor. Preliminary results for 2017 and 2018 report improved satellite navigation in 100% of monitored cases, said to exceed individual results from GLONASS as well as Western GPS and Galileo systems. I am. In 2018, Russia and China agreed on the joint application of GLONASS/Beidou, and in 2022 they will build three Russian monitoring stations in the Chinese cities of Changchun, Urumqi and Shanghai, and three in the Russian cities of Obninsk and Irkutsk. decided to build two Chinese monitoring stations. and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Satellites are the ultimate enabler of Russia’s strategic aviation capabilities. In Ukraine, GLONASS has already enabled Russian missile and drone attacks via satellite correction and supported communications between Russian forces through connection to Azat mobile digital radios. Russian Azat manufacturer Angström has reportedly been collaborating with Huawei since 2011, importing almost fully assembled Azat radios from China, sparking a corruption scandal in Russia in 2021. RUSI previously identified Angström microchips in Russian weapons used in Ukraine. As a result, China’s influence in Azat radios could help Russia facilitate GLONASS and BeiDou integration and improve satellite-led tactical operations. Furthermore, Russia could use BeiDou’s ability to easily navigate and track autonomous vehicles to launch strategic attacks with missiles and drones.
Strategic cooperation between the two countries in competing and future-oriented areas such as satellite technology poses serious concerns to Ukraine, despite claims that such cooperation is in pursuit of “peaceful goals.” may have an impact. Russia’s published maps of the GLONASS and BeiDou satellites are updated regularly and show the satellites regularly reaching skies over Ukraine. Coupled with the planned construction of BeiDou’s Obninsk Observatory, the closest of China’s three observatories to Ukraine, Russia is increasingly able to leverage satellite cooperation with China over Ukraine.
There is also a risk that China will assist Russia with imagery and geospatial information through other satellite-based platforms, potentially leading to an alarming scenario in which China tests escalating tensions with the West.
After Western geospatial companies exited Russia in 2022, Chinese companies signed a contract with Russian Ministry of Defense partner Racurs to provide remote sensing data for security management, infrastructure monitoring, and other uses. One company, HEAD Aerospace, already provides more remote sensing data than its main Russian competitors in a delivery region that includes Donbass and Crimea.
Racurs is also considering sharing its photogrammetry software with a Chinese company to improve drone image processing, and the Chinese company plans to purchase two high-speed aircraft in 2022 to support intelligence capabilities in Ukraine and across Africa. The resolution observation satellite was sold to the Wagner Group. Ultimately, such dynamic interactions with Chinese companies could improve Russia’s military logistics, reconnaissance capabilities, geospatial intelligence, and drone deployment in Ukraine. Additionally, lessons learned through such cooperation could be applied to other arenas, including a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.