Russian Shahed attack drones containing Indian componentry identified
In a concerning development, electronic components manufactured by the Indian companies Vishay Intertechnology and Aura Semiconductor have been discovered in Russian attack drones used in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Ukrainian authorities have identified a bridge rectifier assembled by Vishay Intertechnology in the drone's voltage regulator unit, and a PLL-based signal generator chip from Aura Semiconductor used in the drone’s navigation antenna. These components are believed to aid in jamming resistance.
The Shahed-136 drones, an Iranian design employed by Russia, have been found to contain these Indian components. The discovery has raised concerns in Ukraine, as it could potentially be aiding the Russian war effort.
Ukraine has officially raised this issue with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs multiple times since 2023 through formal diplomatic channels and also discussed it with the European Union’s sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan during his visit to New Delhi in July 2025. Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, publicly urged to stop Russia from acquiring such components to reduce civilian casualties and frontline attacks.
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that exports of such dual-use components comply with India’s international non-proliferation obligations and robust domestic regulatory frameworks, with due diligence applied to exports. The products involved are classified as dual-use items, meaning they can serve both civilian and military applications, and the companies reportedly have not violated Indian laws.
Aura Semiconductor stated it ensures lawful and ethical use of its products and complies fully with applicable export control laws. Vishay Intertechnology, a US-based manufacturer, did not provide comment.
The use of Indian components in Russian drones is not a new phenomenon. In early July, DIU reported a trend of Russia replacing Western components with Chinese ones in its loitering munitions. The clock buffer from Aura Semiconductor was the first Indian component found in Russian weaponry, according to Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) in April 2025.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the issue of Indian companies providing components for Russian drones remains a point of contention. Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, emphasized the need to deprive the Russians of the ability to source components from other countries. A relevant inspection is currently underway, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
References:
- Hindustan Times
- Reuters
- The Economic Times
- Defence News
- Defence Aviation Post
- The Indian government maintains that exports of technology to Russia, such as the ones provided by Vishay Intertechnology and Aura Semiconductor, comply with international non-proliferation obligations and Indian laws.
- Amidst the ongoing scrutiny, the Indian economy, particularly its technology sector, finds itself entangled in the global economic and political implications of supplying components to military equipment, specifically sports in this context, becoming a matter of national and international concern.
