Chinese machines using Western chips drive Russian ballistic production
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Russian ballistic missile explodes over Kyiv (Photo: REUTRS/Gleb Garanich)
Foreign-made precision tools, led by Chinese machinery, power Russian ballistic missile production lines, Ukraine's Military Intelligence (HUR) reported on Oct. 26.
The intelligence release catalogues 30 high-precision CNC machine tools and computerized fabrication centers engineered and manufactured across China, Germany, Taiwan, the United States, Turkiye, Switzerland, and Italy on the state-backed War&Sanctions portal.
These systems are permanently installed at Russian military-industrial facilities producing ballistic missiles and their specialized sub-assemblies, including altimeters, aerodynamic control vanes, and precision gyroscopes.
Ukrainian intelligence officers emphasized a marked surge in the procurement of Chinese-made computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools, particularly advanced five-axis multi-tasking machining centers.
HUR analysts highlighted that these Chinese systems are themselves structurally dependent on allied component ecosystems. The Chinese machines incorporate European, Japanese, and Taiwanese components, including:
- High-tier CNC numerical control operating systems and digital interfaces
- Precision servo drives, high-speed motor spindles, and ultra-durable industrial bearings
- Optical coordinate measurement devices, automated rotary tables, and linear guide rails
- Integrated thermal stabilization hardware and real-time machining process controllers.
Among the specific installations documented in the intelligence release:
The Votkinsk Machine Building Plant: Operates a Chinese GX-650 five-axis universal machining center manufactured by Hyper Machine Tool (PRC). The enterprise is the sole manufacturer of 9M723 ballistic missiles for the Iskander-M complex and the rocket propulsion and airframe stages of the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile.
PEMZ Molot: Deploys Chinese-manufactured Shtral turning and milling machining centers to fabricate electronic and guidance assemblies for Iskander-M ballistic systems.
UPKB Detal: Utilizes high-precision measurement and calibration equipment manufactured by German electronics firm Rohde & Schwarz to build radar altimeters for 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missiles.
Despite extensive domestic propaganda, the Russian military-industrial complex remains structurally tethered to imported foreign technology, having failed to produce competitive domestic substitutes for global high-precision industrial tooling, HUR noted.
Ballistic Saturation Strikes and Industrial Capacity
Yurii Ihnat, head of communications for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, warned that Russia maintains the industrial capacity to fire up to 300 ballistic-trajectory missiles against Ukraine per month during intensive campaign surges.
Russian forces executed massive ballistic strikes across Ukrainian cities throughout mid-to-late October:
Oct. 14: Coordinated salvo of 39 ballistic missiles alongside 128 strike drones;
Oct. 19: Barrage of 16 ballistic missiles targeting energy and municipal targets in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast;
Oct. 22: Follow-up ballistic assault on Kyiv, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirming 21 ballistic missiles fired at the capital.
According to HUR data, as of late October 2026, Russia holds an operational stockpile of up to 700 ballistic missiles and several thousand cruise missiles of various modifications. Russian defense enterprises maintain a monthly production rate of over 200 long-range strike weapons, with ballistic missiles accounting for approximately 110 units per month.
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