Vogon Today

Selected News from the Galaxy

StartMag

Ukraine, in Russian weapons microchips made in the USA

Ukraine, in Russian weapons microchips made in the USA

According to Ukrainian intelligence, there are US microchips in Russian Pantsir air defense systems, Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters and Kh-101 cruise missiles

Russian military equipment in the war in Ukraine is equipped with a microchip made in the USA.

Since the start of the Moscow-initiated invasion, the Ukrainian military has seized Russian weapons and military equipment containing microchips from the United States. This was revealed in a report by The War Zone , citing Ukrainian intelligence. The Chief Intelligence Directorate (GUR), the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service, said in a post on its official website that it has obtained evidence that the Russian invasion forces are using US-made microchips.

According to the post, intelligence found US-made electronics in Russian Pantsir air defense systems, Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters, and Kh-101 cruise missiles.

According to the report, these chips are produced by the American technology companiesIntel , Micrel, Micron Technology and Atmel Corp. In addition, Ukrainian specialists have discovered five US microchips from Amd, Rochester Electronics, Texas Instruments and Linear Technology in the Pantsir air defense system. .

Although Russia is one of the largest arms exporters in the world, its war industry relies heavily on imported components, the New York Times points out.

All the details.

WHAT THE UKRAINIAN INTELLIGENCE SUPPORTS

The Ukrainian military examined a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile and found at least 35 US-made microchips inside. It also opened a Ka-52 Alligator helicopter system that contains 22 chips manufactured by Texas Instruments, Altera USA and Micron Technology.

However, the Ukrainian intelligence officials who provided the parts list to The War Zone were unable to provide the provenance of the chips.

THE COMMENT OF THE ANALYSTS

The parts list offers some of the most detailed information to date on the extent of where the Russians are obtaining microchips, semiconductors and other critical components.

According to military analyst Skip Parish, the discovery of US-made microchips in Russian equipment highlights the "total dependence of the country on Western technology".

“AMERICAN” CHIP PROBLEM FOR MOSCOW

As the Times reports, the Russian military has an Achilles heel: many of its weapons are built around imported microchips.

On May 11, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a Senate hearing that sanctions against Russia were forcing her to seek alternative sources of key components. "We have reports from Ukrainians that when they find Russian military equipment on the ground there are semiconductors they have taken out of dishwashers and refrigerators," Raimondo said.

US exports of advanced technology to Russia have fallen by more than 90 percent since the start of the war, Raimondo said.

The restrictions go beyond traditional wartime sanctions issued by the US government. In fact, there are restrictions on some high-tech goods manufactured anywhere using American machinery, software or projects.

This means that even countries that are not part of the sanctions coalition with the US and the EU must follow the rules, otherwise they risk sanctions themselves. In 2018, only about half of the military equipment and services needed by Russia came from domestic sources, according to OECD data.

THE LOCATION OF COMPANIES

Meanwhile, most of the companies producing microchips found in Russian weapons said they no longer do business with Moscow. Still others contested the results of Ukrainian intelligence, The War Zone points out.

WHAT INTEL SUPPORTS

Instead, Intel said that although they may not know where their chips go, it no longer does business with either Russia or Belarus.

"While we don't always know or control what products our customers create or the applications that end users can develop, Intel does not support or tolerate our products being used to violate human rights," said Penny Bruce, Director of Intel corporate communications. Intel, the manager reiterated, "has suspended all shipments to customers in both Russia and Belarus".

"Wherever 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 the third party."

Finally, “Intel will continue to comply with all applicable export regulations and sanctions in the countries in which it operates; this includes compliance with the sanctions and export controls against Russia and Belarus issued by the United States and allied nations ”.


This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/innovazione/ucraina-nelle-armi-russe-microchip-made-in-usa/ on Tue, 07 Jun 2022 05:36:09 +0000.