Russia’s ability to produce fiber-optic cables, a critical component in its drone technology, remains stalled following a Ukrainian drone attack in April 2024, forcing the country to rely on increasingly expensive imports from China. The disruption highlights Russia’s growing dependence on foreign suppliers for key defense-related materials.
According to Russian media reports, production has not been restored at the Optikovolokonnye Systemy (OVS) plant in Saransk following the April and May 2024 drone strikes. Restarting production is not expected before the end of December 2027.
In the interim, Russia has been compelled to import fiber-optic cables from China, with imports increasing approximately tenfold in recent months, according to a report by Defense Romania. However, Chinese manufacturers have as well significantly raised prices, creating a challenge for Russia, which utilizes these cables as a primary guidance link for its FPV drones.
Leonid Konik, as cited by Defense Romania, explained that the OVS facility in Saransk previously produced approximately 4 million kilometers of fiber-optic cable annually, supplying around 20 Russian manufacturers. Russia is now reliant on Chinese supply.
Analysts at Defense Romania note that demand for fiber-optic cable is high, as fiber-optic guided FPV drones typically have a range of around 20 kilometers, requiring substantial quantities of cable.
Shen Chun, an analyst at the China Cable Research Center, calculated that Russia purchased 10.5% of all fiber-optic cable produced globally in 2025, totaling approximately 60 million kilometers.
Russia now faces a significant cost increase, with Chinese fiber-optic cable prices quadrupling. Russian manufacturers are also being forced to raise their prices.
Last year, China sold Russia its most commonly used type of fiber-optic cable – G.625D – for approximately 16 yuan (roughly $8.50 USD) per kilometer. By January 2026, the price had risen to 40 yuan (approximately $21 USD) and has continued to increase since then.
