Russia continues to import Western microchips for its missile production
Missile (Photo:Command of the Air Force of Ukraine)
The Russian military-industrial complex is
completely dependent on foreign semiconductor
microchips. Despite the entire array of Western sanctions, these components
continue to flow into Russia unhindered, Russian news outlet Verstka reported
on July 31.
According to the article, the X-101 cruise missile, manufactured by Raduga Design Bureau, is one of Russia's most advanced missiles, uses an Intel processor, Xilinx and Texas Instruments chips, and a transceiver from Analog Devices Inc.
The report states that these components continue to flow into Russia without obstruction. In the last six months, Russian authorities have imported Analog Devices Inc. components valued over $98 million, Xilinx components worth more than $75 million, Microchip Technology components over $42 million, and Texas Instruments components of at least $38 million, according to customs office data.
Additionally, products from Infineon, Germany's largest semiconductor manufacturer, worth over $28 million, Marvell over $11 million, Cypress Semiconductor over $3.8 million, and Atmel over $2.7 million have also been imported into Russia.
Furthermore, products from U.S. companies Intel and AMD, including microprocessors, have been imported into Russia for a sum exceeding $169 million and $35 million, respectively. Notably, the vast majority of these Western electronics reach Russia via China and Hong Kong. For instance, the top three resellers of Intel components include Time Art International Limited (almost $40 million), Union Tech Inc. Limited ($17 million), and Dexp International Limited ($15 million), all based in Hong Kong.
Despite sanctions the United States imposed on two of the top five Russian importers – VMK and Testkomplekt, which supply to other Rostec enterprises with Analog Devices Inc. products – their operations have remained unaffected since January. They have imported components worth nearly $20 million, primarily through Chinese and Hong Kong firms.
In total, since the beginning of 2023, Western microchips worth over $502 million have been imported into Russia, according to Verstka’s report.
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