Ukraine's Military Intelligence Names Foreign Machinery Used in Russian Ballistic Missile Production

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has made public details of 30 pieces of foreign-made technological equipment used by Russian companies that take part in producing ballistic missiles and their components. The information was shared via the War&Sanctions portal.

According to the agency, the machinery comes from China, Germany, Taiwan, the United States, Türkiye, Switzerland and Italy. DIU said it is used in Russian factories making ballistic missiles and parts such as altimeters, aerodynamic rudders and gyroscopes.

Intelligence officials pointed to a growing number of Chinese machine tools and machining centres in these facilities, especially five-axis models. They stressed that such Chinese equipment often relies on components from elsewhere. "It is important to note that Chinese machine tools use European, Japanese and Taiwanese components," DIU said, listing CNC systems, servo drives, high-precision spindles and bearings, measuring and rotary systems, linear guides, and thermal stabilisation and machining process control devices.

Among the named examples is the GX-650 five-axis universal machining centre from the Chinese manufacturer Hyper Machine Tool. It is used by the Votkinsk Plant, which makes 9M723 Iskander-M ballistic missiles as well as the missile body of the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile.

The list also includes turning and milling machining centres produced by the Chinese company Shtral. These are used in production processes at PEMZ Molot JSC, a firm that manufactures electronic equipment units for Iskander-M missiles.

German equipment appears as well. DIU said measuring instruments made by Rohde & Schwarz have been installed at UPKB Detal, a company that produces altimeters for Zircon missiles.

Alongside the disclosure, the agency called for tighter oversight of who ends up using such machinery. It urged on-site inspections at the places where the equipment is installed, and monitoring of the supply of spare parts, software, consumables and maintenance services.

DIU also proposed checking distributors and intermediaries, and investigating cases in which equipment reaches the Russian defence industry. In addition, it suggested limiting deliveries of CNC systems and other components to Chinese manufacturers whose products are found in Russian defence enterprises.

The release follows earlier disclosures by the agency. Ukrainska Pravda previously reported that DIU had published data on 13 items of foreign technological equipment used to make Kometa navigation modules for Russian missiles and drones. DIU has also detailed the components of the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile and the companies involved in its production.