When the Ukrainian military began disassembling several pieces of Russian military equipment that were captured or partially destroyed, they found a strong reliance on foreign microchips – especially those made in the United States – according to the constituent lists of Ukraine’s intelligence. information shared with Battle Field,
The chips in question were found inside a recovered example of 9S932-1, a radar-equipped air defense command post vehicle that is part of the larger Barnaul-T system, a Pantsir air defense system, a Ka-52 “Crocodile” attack. helicopter, and a Kh-101 (AS-23A Kodiak) cruise missile.
The component list provides the most detailed information to date on where Russians are finding critical microchips, semiconductors, and other components. One expert points out that the items on those lists raise serious questions about Russia’s ability to produce the technical components on which its war machines depend and safeguard the ability of countries such as the US. Battle Field,
For example, in the Barnaul-T Air Defense Command Post vehicle, Ukraine Intelligence said its experts found eight microchips from American manufacturers such as Intel, Microl, Micron Technology and Atmel Corp. in their communication systems.
Ukrainian experts also found five US-made chips – manufactured by AMD, Rochester Electronics, Texas Instruments and Linear Technology – in the direction finder of a Pantsir air defense system.
At least 35 US-made chips were found in the Kh-101 cruise missile, including those from Texas Instruments, Atmel Corp. Includes chips manufactured by Rochester Electronics, Cypress Semiconductor, Maxim Integrated, XILINX, Infineon Technologies, Intel, Onsemi and Micron Technology.
Kh-101s on a Tu-95 bears., CSIS.org
When they uncovered the electro-optical system containing the Ka-52 Alligator’s turret, experts from Ukraine found 22 US-made chips and one Korean-made chip. US manufacturers include Texas Instruments, IDT, Altera USA, Burr-Brown, Analog Devices Inc., Micron Technology, Linear Technology, and TE Connectivity.
A man stands in front of a Ka-52 attack helicopter that was forced to land in a field outside Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 24, 2022. AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky
While the US and several other countries instituted sanctions after Russia launched its full offensive on February 24, which barred them from selling equipment, including microchips, there is no indication that any of these chips have been captured. Russian property taken or destroyed violates any of those provisions. In fact, some manufacturers were previously incorporated by other companies.
For example, IDT was bought by Japanese firm Renesas in 2019. Micrel was purchased in 2015 by Microchip Technology Incorporated. Atmel Corp. was also purchased by Microchip Technology in 2016. Cypress Semiconductor Corp was acquired by Infineon Technologies in 2020. Altera was bought by Intel in 2015. Burr-Brown was purchased by Texas Instruments in 2000.
The origin of the microchips found in these Russian weapons is unclear. These chips are not necessarily sourced directly from the manufacturers. In addition, there is a vast and largely unregulated market for recycled chips originating largely from China, and many of them appear to be quite old.
Ukrainian intelligence officials, who provided the ingredient list, could not even explain where the chips originated.
But Skip Parish, a counter-drone/guided energy weapon/electronic warfare/red team subject matter specialist for NATO and the US military, reviewed the list of components provided by Ukraine intelligence and said they raise a number of issues.
A photo of some microchips of Ukrainian intelligence said it was found in the communication system of the Barnaul-T air defense system. Ukraine intelligence
It highlights the “complete reliance on Western technology” in the applications of “integrated chip sets in key sensitive working parts of Russian weapon systems – integrated chip sets in targeting, navigation, communication and weapon execution,” he said.
It also refers to a “breakdown or non-existent US control” in international traffic in the Arms Regulations, “both ancillary investigation if foreign weapons are found.”
On May 11, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told a Senate hearing that sanctions against Russia were forcing her to seek alternative sources of key constituents.
“We have reports from Ukrainians that when they find Russian military equipment on the ground, it is filled with semiconductors that they took out of dishwashers and refrigerators,” testified Raimondo, who recently met with Ukraine’s prime minister. Were.
For example, while components found in devices are harder to prevent from falling into the wrong hands, US officials, Parish said, have the authority to withhold shipments of those dual-use chips if they deem the application to be of significant military use.
And, he said, it highlights the need for “a clear path to halt Russian weapons success, and a “crash domestic program to halt shipments of technology” from US allies Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. The Kingdom, known collectively as the “Five Eyes”.
While Raimondo testified that Ukraine said the Russians were using equipment parts in their tanks, this is unlikely to happen in the more sensitive systems determined by Ukraine’s intelligence, Parish said.
“The optics in the Ka-52 armed Halo targeting and missile guidance systems,” he said, “are of greatest concern.”
Battle Field This story reached out to all the microchip manufacturers named and many responded. Most said they no longer do business with Russia. Many said they either didn’t know or couldn’t control where their chips reached. And one company denied Ukraine intelligence claims that its chips were found in Russian military equipment.
For example, a spokesperson for Onsemi pointed out that his company’s chips are not military-grade, thus more easily obtainable.
Onsemi’s head of public relations Stephanie Cune said her company’s chip “is a commodity, not military grade, and is available anywhere on the open market.”
“We have already watched the war in Ukraine with grave concern,” said Gregor Rodehuser, spokesman for Infineon Technologies. Battle Field, “Your message deepens these concerns.”
“While we cannot comment on this subject specifically, Infineon has implemented appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the sanctions.”
After the start of the war in Ukraine, he said, “We have stopped all direct and indirect shipments to Russia, Belarus and the respective Russian-backed regions in Ukraine. This includes technical assistance.”
Infineon Technologies, Rodehüser said, “so far there has been no evidence of military use of our products in Russia. That’s why we screen customers and markets sourcing our products for compliance with legal export regulations.”
Russia was subjected to harsh sanctions, including a ban on the importance of microchips, after Vladimir Putin began his all-out war against Ukraine. Getty Images,
Intel said that while they can’t know where their chips reach, they no longer do business with Russia or Belarus.
Penny Bruce, Intel’s Director of Corporate Communications, said, “While we don’t always know nor can we control what products our customers create or the applications end-users may develop, Intel may support or support our products. does not tolerate.” , “Where we become aware of a concern that Intel products are being used by a business partner in connection with human rights abuses, we will restrict or cease business with third parties unless we have a high confidence lest Intel’s products are being used to violate human rights.”
Intel, Bruce said, “has suspended all shipments to customers in both Russia and Belarus.” Additionally, “Intel will continue to comply with all applicable export regulations and sanctions in the countries in which it operates; including compliance with sanctions and export controls against Russia and Belarus issued by the United States and affiliated countries.”
“Analog Devices is committed to full compliance with the laws of the United States, the European Union, and other countries, including export controls, trade sanctions and regulations,” said company spokeswoman Ferda Millan.
Meanwhile, TE Connectivity disputed Ukraine’s intelligence component list.
“We did a search in our parts database and were unable to match the part number you provided,” company spokesman Jeff Cronin said.
The issue of foreign components clogging up Russian military equipment despite sanctions has come to the fore in the past.
After Russia invaded Ukraine for the first time in 2014, it was hit with previous rounds of sanctions.
However, they clearly did not prove to be foolproof.
It is not clear how concerned the Commerce Department may be over the microchips Ukraine’s intelligence said were found on Russian air defense systems, helicopters and cruise missiles.
The department did not respond to a request for comment as of Friday afternoon. If they answer we’ll let you know what they say.
There is already a lot of evidence that the current sanctions are hurting Russia’s defense industry. And Ukraine claims that the outdated components Russia is using, in particular the Kh-101, make them less effective. But given Russia’s reliance on a large number of microchips, semiconductors, and other components floating around — and its close ties with China, a top manufacturer of these parts and recycling — the long-term effects of the sanctions, at least with regard to high The technical components like in-chips are yet to be seen.
So does America react to the chips they’re using
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