Tires are like oxygen. Russia has made its aviation dependent on Chinese supplies

Russia is critically dependent on Chinese tires for its combat aircraft; as much as 85 percent of the tires needed for the Su-34 and Su-35 come from China, reported CNA, Taiwan's national news agency.

In 2024 alone, Chinese imports of tires and materials necessary for the production and servicing of Russian fighters cost the Kremlin over $60 million.

“Aircraft tires remain a key element of Russian combat aircraft, and Russia's dependence on them creates potential pressure points for its military-industrial complex,” the Economic Security Council of Ukraine (ESC) said a few days ago.

In addition to tires, China supplied Russia with aramid fiber worth $9.3 million. It is an extremely durable synthetic polymer, essential in the aviation industry, but also used in bulletproof vests.

Russia also imported rubber from China, a basic component for the production and repair of tires. Its import reached USD 42 million in 2024, which represented 22%. total import of this raw material to Russia.

According to the Taiwanese agency, Russian military factories, in addition to raw materials, use Chinese microelectronic components and computerized numerically controlled machines for processing metals, plastics and wood on a massive scale. In turn, the American Wall Street Journal, citing an unpublished report by the US Department of State, reported that China also supplies engines for Shahed drones to Russia.

Chinese exporters are eagerly taking advantage of Russia's situation and have been systematically and dramatically increasing the prices of goods necessary for the Russian military industry for two years. High prices are reflected in bilateral trade data between China and Russia. It reached a record $254 billion in 2024, up from $146.9 billion in 2021, with this growth driven by higher prices rather than larger volumes, according to an analysis by BOFIT (Bank of Finland Institute for Emerging Economies), which specializes in the analysis of emerging economies, with particular emphasis on Russia and China. (PAP)

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