Russia to Train Chinese Paratroopers and Supply Advanced Military Equipment, Leaked Documents Reveal
Russia has reportedly agreed to equip and train a Chinese airborne battalion, marking a significant step in the growing military partnership between Moscow and Beijing. The revelation comes from leaked documents reviewed by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a respected British defence think tank, which highlight how the two powers are deepening their cooperation amid rising tensions with the West.
Details of the Agreement
According to documents leaked by the hacktivist group Black Moon and verified by RUSI, Russia agreed in 2023 to provide the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China with a range of advanced military hardware. The list includes assault vehicles, anti-tank guns, and airborne armoured personnel carriers. In addition to supplying the equipment, Moscow committed to training a Chinese paratrooper battalion in the effective operation of the systems.
The contracts, spanning approximately 800 pages, show that the armoured vehicles would be fitted with Chinese communication systems and command-and-control technology. Furthermore, Russia agreed to transfer certain military technologies to China, enabling Beijing to manufacture similar weapons domestically in the future.
RUSI analysts concluded that if implemented, the deal would significantly boost China’s air maneuver capabilities, one of the few areas where Russia currently maintains a technological and operational advantage over the PLA.
Strategic Implications for Taiwan and Beyond
Military experts suggest this deal could have major consequences in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly regarding China’s long-standing ambition to reunify Taiwan by force if necessary. Taiwan, a self-governing island of 23 million people, has faced escalating pressure from Beijing, which considers it part of its territory.
“Russia is equipping and training Chinese special forces groups to penetrate the territory of other countries without being noticed, offering offensive options against Taiwan, the Philippines and other island states in the region,” wrote RUSI fellows Oleksandr V. Danylyuk and Jack Watling in their analysis of the leaked documents.
The Philippines, for instance, remains locked in disputes with China over overlapping claims in the South China Sea, where confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels are becoming increasingly frequent.
Status of the Deal Still Unclear
While the leaked files paint a detailed picture of the agreement, it is not clear whether the deal has been fully executed. Neither China’s Ministry of National Defense nor Russia’s defense ministry has issued public comments, despite requests for clarification.
Historical Context of China-Russia Military Cooperation
China and Russia have traded arms since the 1990s, but their defense ties have grown considerably in the past decade. The personal relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping has accelerated cooperation, worrying Washington and its allies.
Just last month, Xi, Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appeared together at a major Chinese military parade, signaling a united front against Western influence.
The two nations have also intensified joint drills. In 2024 alone, they carried out 14 joint military exercises, the highest number since such cooperation began in 2003, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). These included joint naval patrols near Japan, coordinated sea and air operations off Alaska, and even their first-ever joint submarine patrol in the Pacific.
Economic and Strategic Interests Converge
Beyond the military realm, Russia and China are also strengthening energy and economic ties. Earlier this month, Moscow and Beijing signed a long-discussed agreement to build a major new natural gas pipeline through Mongolia. With European buyers scaling back purchases of Russian energy following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, China has become an increasingly vital market for Russia.
Putin described the bilateral relationship as being at an “unprecedentedly high level,” emphasizing the importance of closer ties in helping both nations counterbalance Western influence.
Why Airborne Training Matters to Beijing
Among the most valuable aspects of the 2023 deal is the training program for China’s airborne forces. While China has invested heavily in modernizing its military, it lacks real-world combat experience in airborne operations—a field where Russia maintains extensive expertise.
If China were ever to launch an assault on Taiwan, military experts believe that airborne operations would likely play a crucial role in securing early control of key positions. Such a move would make it easier to bring in larger forces via a massive amphibious landing, though experts caution that a full-scale invasion of Taiwan would remain an extraordinarily difficult and risky undertaking.
The documents specify that Russian instructors would conduct part of the training in Russia before moving to China to oversee exercises on Chinese training grounds. The focus would include preparing troops for rapid landings, precision fire control, and coordinated maneuvering.
Global Concerns
The revelations have heightened concerns in Western capitals about the expanding China-Russia axis. Their growing military collaboration could shift the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, where the United States and its allies, including Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, are already increasing military cooperation to counter Beijing’s assertiveness.
With both Moscow and Beijing viewing their partnership as critical to achieving long-term strategic goals, analysts believe this deal underscores the seriousness of their alignment. As RUSI experts warned, a well-trained Chinese airborne battalion could one day be used not only in a Taiwan conflict but also in broader regional operations across the South China Sea and beyond.