Russia using old ASML machines to make microchips for weapons: report
Russia is using old ASML machines to make microchips that are essential for the Russian war industry, Trouw reports based on its own research. Russian companies manage to import spare parts to keep these machines running via intermediaries, mainly in China, the newspaper wrote. The news comes at a difficult moment for ASML, as the United States is pushing hard on more limits to high-tech exports to China.
Nieuwsuur previously reported that Dutch microchips were showing up in Russian missiles, helicopters, and drones used to attack Ukraine. Trouw discovered one of the ways they got there.
It is unclear exactly how many ASML machines Russia has. The Veldhoven-based company stressed to Trouw that it complied with all applicable sanctions and has not shipped anything to Russia in years.
According to Trouw, customs data shows that at least 170 spare parts for ASML machines have entered Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine. The imports are possible because not all Russian companies are on the sanctions lists and can, therefore, obtain parts via foreign intermediaries. These are mainly companies in China, but the newspaper also found a Serbian company, MCI Trading, exporting to a Russian company, AK Mikrotech.
