Title: Russia‘s Rocket Riddle: Western Tech Still Drives Putin’s ‘Orekh‘ Missile
Article:
In a compelling investigation, the Financial Times has delved into the production chain of Russia’s experimental ‘Orekh’ medium-range ballistic missile, revealing an unsuspected reliance on Western manufacturing equipment. This dependency continues to persist despite concerted efforts by the Russian regime to develop domestic alternatives and the imposition of Western sanctions.
The FT analyzed Russian job listings from leading defense institutions involved in the ‘Orekh’ project, including the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology (MIIT) and ‘Star Cluster’. These job postings hint at a critical shortage of experts familiar with NUM-level metalworking systems produced by German and Japanese companies like Fanuc, Siemens, and Haidenhain.
"The ‘Orekh’, despite its status as an experimental weapon, was manufactured using these critical Western systems," the FT reported. Computer numerical control (CNC) technology, crucial for high-precision material formation and swiftly adaptable to new designs, is particularly sought after.
Evidently, even MIIT—Russia’s premier institution for developing solid-fuel ballistic missiles—relies heavily on these Western systems. In its 2024 job listings, MIIT explicitly mentioned using Fanuc, Siemens, and Haidenhain systems. The same trio is requested in ‘Star Cluster’ vacancies, where the focus is on automated management systems for military use.
What’s more, a video released by ‘Titan Barrikady’, the third major defense contractor working on the ‘Orekh’, shows a machine operator standing in front of a device labeled ‘Fanuc’.
While Russia has long depended on foreign-produced metalworking machines, Western producers of CNC systems have remained a primary target for factional pressure. Although Russia imports high-precision metalworking machines en masse from China, the control systems for these machines continue to flow in from the West.
According to a FT analysis, 11 out of the 12 CNC devices showcased by Chinese companies at a major Russian exhibition in 2024 were equipped with Japanese or German controller units.
Even ‘Stan’, the Russian company leading domestic CNC production efforts, was found to be using Heidenhain equipment. This highlights the paradoxical situation where Russian military production, contrary to the image projected by state propaganda, is heavily entwined with Western technology.
Stemming the flow of CNC controllers and related equipment to Russia has emerged as a priority for Ukraine’s allies. These devices are categorized in a ‘critical goods’ watchlist, where Putin’s military-industrial complex has proved particularly susceptible.
The FT’s analysis of Russian trade declarations indicates that supply of these critical components continues to this day. Heidenhain, in particular, saw at least $3 million worth of deliveries to Russia since the beginning of 2024. Some of these orders were traced to customers directly involved in military production.
Responding to queries, executives at Fanuc, Siemens, and Heidenhain firms denied supporting Russia’s defense efforts. Siemens stated that its stance on sanctions was non-negotiable, and promised to investigate any breaches.
This dependence on Western tech is another irony in the saga of the ‘Orekh’. While Russian state media praises it as a groundbreaking, homegrown weapon, its production and fine-tuning have proven largely reliant on Western technology.
In a surprising twist, recent findings from Defense Express reveal that the ‘Orekh’ launched against Ukraine last month may not be the cutting-edge weapon touted by Putin. A serial number on one of its parts dates back to 2017, suggesting that the missile was fabricated long before its claimed trial run.
As the West continues to assist Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression, the spotlight is turned on the West’s own defense industry—the unintentional enabler of Russia’s military development. The paradox of supporting an enemy through technological know-how could shape Western policy towards Russia’s weapons production in the future.
Story by:
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
Keep reading
