India Gets Major Relief: Russia to Produce Critical Chips for Su-57 Jets and S-400 Air Defense Systems

Moscow/New Delhi: India’s concerns over potential Chinese components in Russia’s Su-57 fighter jets and S-400 air defense systems may soon be resolved. If Chinese chips were used in these platforms, there was a risk of cyber espionage, potentially allowing Beijing access to India’s sensitive military data. Russia has now announced plans to produce these critical microwave microchips domestically, eliminating this major security concern.

Domestic Chip Production in Russia
The Governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast, Denis Pasler, revealed that a Russian company has begun designing the country’s first factory for serial production of microwave microchips, expected to be operational by the end of 2027. The facility will produce around 2,000 silicon wafers annually, covering the entire technological cycle of microchip manufacturing.

Aviation technology expert and former Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter pilot Vijayendra K. Thakur explained in a feature for the Eurasian Times that these chips, known as Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuits (MMICs), operate across 300 MHz to 300 GHz frequencies and are crucial for radar, satellite communications, unmanned systems, wireless networks, and high-speed data processing.

Critical Role in Su-57 and S-400 Systems
Thakur noted that the Su-57’s N036 Byelka AESA radar relies on these chips, just as the S-350A, S-400, and S-500 systems use the 96L6-CP and 98L6 Yenisei radars. The N036 Byelka radar, developed by Russia’s Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design (NIIP), offers:

• Detection of targets with 1 m² radar cross-section up to 400 km
• Simultaneous tracking of 60 aerial and 30 ground targets
• Capability to engage 16 airborne and 4 surface targets concurrently

Similarly, the S-400 and S-500 Yenisei radars, based on advanced S-band AESA arrays, provide long-range detection up to 600 km, high-resolution imaging, ballistic and aerodynamic target tracking, and strong resistance to electronic countermeasures.

Reducing Dependence on China
Earlier reports suggested that Russia relied on China for some high-end MMICs and electronic components. While Russia does produce MMICs domestically through companies like Micropribor and Istok, Western sanctions imposed in 2022 created shortages of advanced semiconductors. This domestic production initiative is expected to remove any dependence on Chinese components for India-bound systems.

Implications for India
India currently operates S-400 air defense systems and is considering acquiring at least 10 more units, with potential local production. The domestic production of these critical chips in Russia will allay India’s security concerns regarding Chinese components.

Moreover, India has the design capability to manufacture its own MMICs under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), including advanced 3 nm node technology. This means that within a few years, India could locally produce the critical electronic components needed for S-400 and Su-57 systems, further strengthening its defense self-reliance.