Russian producers of Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile use Western components
New investigation by The Financial Times
Russia's new experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile, "Oreshnik," which was launched against Ukraine in November 2024, was produced using advanced Western manufacturing equipment, according to an investigation by the Financial Times.
Russia’s reliance on Western components is especially evident in the realm of computer numerical control (CNC) technology.
Russia's leading weapons engineering institutes, the Moscow Institute for Thermal Technology (MITT) and Sozvezdie, which developed the Oreshnik missile, have been actively seeking workers skilled in operating metalworking systems produced by German and Japanese manufacturers.
In job advertisements published in 2024, MITT specifically highlighted its use of advanced technologies, stating, “we adhere to the FANUC, SIEMENS, HAIDENHEIN systems.”
Fanuc, a Japanese company, alongside the German firms Siemens and Heidenhain, specializes in producing control systems for high-precision CNC machines.
At a major Russian trade fair in 2024, eight Chinese companies showcased 12 models of CNC devices. An analysis by the Economic Security Council of Ukraine revealed that 11 of these models were equipped with controllers manufactured by Japanese or German companies.
An FT analysis of Russian import filings indicates that shipments valued at least $3 million, including Heidenhain components, have entered Russia since the beginning of 2024.
Halting the supply of CNC controllers and machinery to Russia remains a key priority for Kyiv’s allies. Restricting access to these advanced Western control units could significantly hamper Russian manufacturing capabilities.
The original article by The Financial Times is available here.