Russian military units and pro-Russian Telegram bloggers raised concerns over severe quality issues in Chinese-manufactured electronic warfare (EW) systems. The complaints detail a variety of manufacturing flaws that have hampered the effectiveness of these systems, which are essential for disrupting enemy communications and protecting Russian forces’ operations.
According to a Telegram post from a Russian military blogger, inspections of one type of jammer revealed systemic problems in both design and construction. The device’s power supply units, which were labeled to deliver 25 amps, reportedly produced only 5 amps. Cooling systems were inadequate, with gaps in the casing allowing excessive heat buildup. This issue was reportedly exacerbated by high summer temperatures in Ukraine, with dried thermal paste shrinking and failing to effectively conduct heat.
Russian jammers continue to have poor quality, as half of “Daisy” FPV jammers arrive defective.
This one had a short circuit in a power amplifier; and blocks can’t cool as they are air-gapped from the case.
They can’t be fastened down tightly due to crookedly drilled holes.
1/2 https://t.co/7gYMIYTE1v pic.twitter.com/Qfi13ah1Yv— Roy🇨🇦 (@GrandpaRoy2) July 31, 2024
The hot Ukrainian summer complicates cooling.
Thermal paste, that help bridge any gaps between blocks and the case with its cooling fins, dries and shrinks in the brutal heat.
The factories he refers to are of course in China.
2/2 pic.twitter.com/2YCK4ePlm8— Roy🇨🇦 (@GrandpaRoy2) July 31, 2024
Additional defects included misaligned drill holes that made assembly difficult, poorly soldered wiring, and residual aluminum shavings inside the components, creating a heightened risk of short circuits. Antennas on some devices were installed in configurations that caused mutual damage during use. The power amplifiers in certain jammers were found to have short circuits, rendering the equipment unusable.
Half of the delivered systems, including models referred to as “Daisy” FPV jammers and the “Groza” (Storm), were reportedly defective upon arrival. Russian technicians noted that many of these devices required complete disassembly and reconstruction before they could function. The reassembly process often involved replacing faulty antennas, adding new cooling mechanisms, and securing loose wiring.
A Russian Telegram blogger complained bitterly about the quality of a FPV jammer.
Antennas placed to damage each other, inadequate cooling, heated parts in heat shrink wrapping, poor soldering.
The manufacturer has received an advance payment of 500 million for mass production. pic.twitter.com/anmU3gDezh— Roy🇨🇦 (@GrandpaRoy2) May 19, 2024
One Russian soldier described the equipment as “unreliable at best and dangerous at worst.” Despite an advance payment of 500 million rubles for mass production, the systems reportedly continued to exhibit significant quality issues.
