Chinese analogs of MQ-9 Reaper UAVs were on their way to Russia's accomplices in Libya - parts disguised as wind turbines seized by Italians

Italian customs officers seized parts of two combat drones, similar to the American MQ-9 Reaper, disguised as wind turbines in containers coming from China to Libya. Official authorities intercepted six containers at the Gioia Tauro port, labeled as wind generator parts. In reality, they contained fuselages and wings of military drones, according to a statement by the Financial Police, which patrols Italian waters and prevents smuggling. Investigators say that drone parts were hidden among materials resembling wind turbine fan blades, "to evade inspections." According to the Financial Police, the transported drones weigh over 3 tons, are over 10 meters long, and have a wingspan of over 20 meters. The Times reports that Italian authorities acted based on US intelligence. Three containers were seized on June 18 on the MSC Arina ship, with customs officials expecting three more to arrive over the weekend on the MSC Apolline. The drones in question are Wing Loong UAVs destined for Benghazi to be delivered to Libyan General Khalifa Haftar. The delivery includes two drone control stations. The technical specifications of the drones correspond to the Wing Loong-2 model. This UAV is often compared to the American MQ-9 Reaper, although it lags in maximum speed and flight altitude compared to the US drone. When Wing Loong-2 was introduced in 2017, Chinese state media claimed that Beijing was the first to match the US in "new-generation large-scale integrated reconnaissance and strike UAVs." It is unknown if the Chinese government was involved in the shipment. Italian authorities did not report whether the smuggled shipment contained ammunition for the drones. This confiscation likely violates the longstanding UN arms embargo on weapons supplies to and from Libya. The faction of General Haftar, the "Libyan National Army," is based in eastern Libya and attempted to overthrow the country's internationally recognized government in 2020. A former officer from Muammar Gaddafi's administration also has close ties with Russia. The aggressive state promised to support his army if he expands control over most of Libya. Earlier, the UN found that in 2019, the Wing Loong-2 drone was likely used by Haftar's forces to attack the suburbs of Tripoli. The Wing Loong-2 drones were likely supplied by the United Arab Emirates, long accused of supporting Haftar. In April, two Libyans in Canada were charged with conspiring to sell Chinese-made drones to Libya in exchange for oil between 2018 and 2021. Source: Business Insider, Wikipedia.