Western officials reportedly have information about China’s plans to expand export restrictions on components used for manufacturing various drones starting next year, potentially complicating access to such parts, including for Ukraine.
This was reported by Bloomberg, citing conversations with several anonymous sources.
Recently, China has begun reducing sales of key components used in UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to the U.S. and Europe. Sources say these restrictions are expected to tighten further in 2025.
The changes may take the form of licensing requirements based on the intended use of the components. Chinese companies would also need to notify Beijing of their supply plans.
The reason for these plans is the recent escalation of the trade conflict with the U.S. Washington has restricted the sale of high-bandwidth microchips and semiconductors to China, and Beijing, in turn, has banned the export of several technology items to the U.S. that could be used for military purposes. This has immediately driven up prices for certain components.
Sources told Bloomberg that the restrictions are already affecting companies in the U.S. and EU. Government agencies are monitoring the situation, and the U.S. State Department and Department of Commerce plan to work with companies to help them find alternative suppliers.
Drone manufacturers in Europe have been adjusting their supply chains for some time to reduce dependency on China. However, China remains the largest producer of low-cost components, reportedly controlling up to 80% of the market.
