What’s inside Russia’s Geran-4? 45+ foreign components, from US microelectronics to a Chinese jet engine
A Chinese engine, American microelectronics. Russia’s Geran-4 jet-powered drones rely on foreign components — and that is their weakness. Russian attack drones are becoming faster and more accurate. They are harder to intercept. And Russian forces can control these UAVs online. Ukrainian military intelligence experts examined a Geran-4 from the inside and found at least 45 foreign components, including: 📌 a Chinese Telefly LX-WP-160 turbojet engine; 📌 a Chinese mesh modem that allows a group of drones to be controlled online; 📌 Texas Instruments circuit boards (USA); 📌 FOTEK Controls relays (Taiwan); 📌 transceivers from Maxim Integrated Products or Texas Instruments (USA); memory chips from Micron Technology (USA); 📌 STMicroelectronics microcontrollers (Switzerland); 📌 Raspberry Pi microcomputers (UK). Can the production of jet-powered drones be made more difficult? On the one hand, partners need to strengthen controls on intermediaries exporting components to Russia. Manufacturers should also carry out more thorough checks of end buyers. On the other hand, Russia is heavily dependent on Chinese components. Pressure on these supply channels could significantly limit Russia’s ability to produce new drones and missiles. Video: Radio Free Europe https://youtu.be/TYaj0QnZx9s?si=9Sxg0l3AUp5TTHDs/Radio Liberty #ukraine #local