New analysis by NAKO shows that Russia has failed to shake off its dependence on Western technology for critical ballistic missile components.
Russia continues to ramp up its use of ballistic missiles against Ukraine while claiming to be developing its domestic defence industry and successfully replacing imported technologies. But an analysis of the components used in Russian weapons tells a different story.
The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) has analysed the inertial navigation system of the Russian 9M723 ballistic missile used by the Iskander-M system. The system is one of the missile’s key components, helping determine its position and movement during flight.
The analysis found that 78% of the identified components in the system are of US origin.
Two US technology giants stand out among the manufacturers:
- Analog Devices — almost 40% of all identified US-made components;
- Texas Instruments — around 12%.
The remaining 48% of US components come from 11 other manufacturers.
These are not secondary parts. The identified microchips perform critical functions within the navigation system, including signal processing, analogue-to-digital conversion, digital isolation, power management and memory functions.
US-made components account for the largest share of the system examined, but they are not the only source of foreign technology.
NAKO also identified components manufactured in:
- Japan — 9.4%;
- Taiwan — 6.3%;
- Switzerland — 6.3%.
This shows that despite sanctions and Russia’s efforts to replace imported technologies, a critical part of the system responsible for guiding the missile remains dependent on Western-made components.
Russia’s “import substitution”
Russia has managed to replace some foreign components, particularly simpler and less technologically complex products. The Oreshnik, for example, is considered by NAKO to be Russia’s most domestically produced missile.
But in systems that require high-precision signal processing, data conversion and other advanced electronic functions, reliance on foreign components remains significant.
This uneven dependence matters for sanctions policy. Rather than trying to cut off every flow of electronics into Russia, greater attention should be paid to components that are critical to the operation of specific weapons systems.
The Iskander is not an exception
NAKO’s analysis is part of a broader picture of foreign technology being used in Russian weapons.
On 10 August 2026, specialists from Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence demonstrated samples of foreign-made components recovered from Russian missiles, drones and other weapons to Ukrainian diplomats.
According to Defence Intelligence, as of August 2026, Ukrainian military intelligence had identified 5,816 foreign components across 202 Russian weapons systems. The investigation covered a range of weapons systems and subsystems and also identified numerous Russian and Belarusian-made components.
Among the samples displayed were a US-made Nvidia Jetson Orin microcomputer recovered from a Russian S-71M cruise missile, as well as an inertial module containing components made by US company Texas Instruments and Japan’s TDK.
Last week, the Office of the President of Ukraine also hosted a presentation on Russian ballistic missiles, highlighting the Russian defence industry’s continued dependence on foreign technology. According to Ukraine’s Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, critical components include the Kometa navigation module and components of autonomous inertial systems.
The dependence extends beyond electronics. Russia also relies on imported materials and industrial equipment to manufacture missiles, including certain propellant components, carbon fibre, specialised resins, aluminium and titanium alloys, as well as high-precision machine tools and their components.
Why this matters for sanctions
Russia’s continued access to Western microelectronics is particularly significant as it scales up its ballistic missile campaign against Ukraine.
Since the beginning of 2026, Russia has used more than 500 ballistic missiles against Ukraine, while also deploying North Korean KN-23 missiles and expanding its capacity to carry out ballistic strikes.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia can produce up to 1,300 ballistic missiles a year, and currently has between 600 and 630 ballistic missiles in its arsenal.
Zelenskyy has stressed that Ukraine’s defence forces are working to reduce Russia’s ability to wage war. But that has not yet been enough to stop Russia from continuing to strike Ukraine.
That makes cutting off the Kremlin’s access to Western technology all the more important. If Russia can continue sourcing the microelectronics and other critical components it needs, it can continue replenishing its stockpile of ballistic missiles.
Read NAKO’s full analysis, “Who Navigates the Iskander?”