Russia has tripled its monthly production of 9M723 ballistic missiles used in its Iskander-M systems, largely due to exports from China, according to a January report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), cited by Defense Express on February 1.
The CSIS study, titled Russia’s Grinding War in Ukraine, identifies Chinese-sourced components as critical to sustaining and accelerating Russian missile production. These include ammonium perchlorate—used in solid rocket fuel—and machinery tools and microprocessors classified as dual-use goods.
Rare footage of Russian Iskander ballistic missile launch from close point. pic.twitter.com/78w9uFpqMW
— Clash Report (@clashreport) August 19, 2024
According to CSIS, China supplied 70% of Russia’s ammonium perchlorate imports in 2024. This chemical is a key ingredient in the propellant used in ballistic missiles such as the 9M723, deployed against Ukrainian cities by Russian forces.
Open-source estimates show that Russia’s production capacity has grown significantly over the course of the full-scale invasion. In early 2023, Ukrainian intelligence indicated Russia had produced just 36 9M723 missiles between February 2022 and January 2023.
By November 2023, monthly output had reached 30 missiles, and by December 2025, that number rose to 50 per month, according to Defense Express’s analysis of figures published by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR).
As of late 2025, Russian forces reportedly held a stockpile of around 200 Iskander-M missiles.
Beyond chemical inputs, CSIS reports that Russia has also significantly increased imports of Chinese machine tools and microelectronics categorized under a list of 50 high-priority dual-use items. These are used in the manufacturing of various weapons systems, including guided bombs and drones.
A screenshot from a Russian propaganda video published in 2024, cited by Defense Express, shows a Hision-brand Chinese machine tool reportedly being used to manufacture universal planning and correction modules (UMPKs) for aerial munitions.
In addition, China has supplied Russia with drone-related materials such as UAV airframes, lithium batteries, and fiber-optic cables—critical for optically-guided systems.
The growing defense-industrial cooperation has taken place against the backdrop of a sharp increase in overall bilateral trade. In 2024, China accounted for 33.8% of Russia’s total trade, up from 11.3% in 2014, with total volume reaching $250 billion—up from $190 billion in 2022, CSIS data shows.
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China has also emerged as the dominant buyer of Russian crude oil. In 2024, Russian supplies made up 75% of China’s oil imports, compared to 60–65% two years earlier.
Earlier, The Telegraph reported that China supplied Russia with advanced CNC lathes and other dual-use technologies essential for producing the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, including components like microchips, ball bearings, and radar-grade crystals—despite Western sanctions aimed at curbing such transfers.
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