In a significant development documented in early April 2025, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) has reported the first-ever discovery of an Indian-manufactured component in Russian weapon systems used in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The component, identified as a clock buffer produced by Bengaluru-based Aura Semiconductor, represents a notable evolution in Russia's efforts to circumvent Western sanctions by diversifying its military supply chains.

This discovery comes amid a broader investigation that uncovered nearly 200 new parts across six types of Russian weapons, revealing Moscow's strategic pivot away from American technology and towards alternative sources from countries not participating in the sanctions regime.

Discovery Details And Intelligence Findings

Ukraine's Defence Intelligence agency announced on April 7, 2025, through a Telegram post, that they had identified an Indian-made clock buffer from Aura Semiconductor in Russian weaponry for the first time. This discovery came as part of HUR's ongoing efforts to document foreign components in Russian military hardware, which has now uncovered approximately 200 new parts used across six different Russian weapon systems. The intelligence report specifically highlighted examinations of the CRP antenna in the Russian-modified Shahed drone (known as Geran-2 in Russia), the North Korean KN-24 ballistic missile, the onboard computer of the Kh-47 Kinzhal hypersonic missile, and several reconnaissance and attack drones including the Supercam S350, Gerbera, and Zala. These weapon systems have been extensively deployed against Ukrainian targets, including civilian infrastructure, energy facilities, and military positions throughout the conflict.

The clock buffer component, a critical electronic element used to manage timing signals in complex systems, points to the intricate and often opaque nature of global supply chains. Aura Semiconductor, headquartered in Bengaluru, is known for designing high-performance analogue and mixed-signal chips for applications ranging from telecommunications to aerospace. While there is no evidence suggesting direct involvement by either the company or the Indian government in supplying Russia, the finding underscores how dual-use technologies can inadvertently end up in military hardware through third-party channels and circumvention of export controls.

The clock buffer discovered in Russian weaponry plays a crucial role in synchronizing electronic signals within complex systems. In military applications, such components enhance the performance of precision-dependent weapons, particularly those requiring high-speed data processing. These specialized electronic parts are commonly integrated into guidance and navigation systems, drones, electronic warfare platforms, and radar and surveillance systems—all critical to modern warfare capabilities. The integration of this Indian component represents not only a technical adaptation but also highlights Russia's determination to maintain its military-industrial complex despite international isolation.

Russia's Strategic Shift In Component Sourcing

The presence of an Indian-made component in Russian weaponry reflects Moscow's broader strategy to adapt to Western sanctions imposed following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Intelligence reports indicate that Russia has almost completely eliminated American components from its newer weapon systems. For instance, the latest CRP antennas for the Geran-2 drone contained only two American-made chips, compared to previous versions that relied heavily on U.S. electronics. This dramatic reduction demonstrates Russia's deliberate effort to reduce vulnerability to sanctions and secure more reliable supply chains.

In place of American components, Russian weapons now predominantly feature Chinese-made parts. Earlier examinations of jamming-resistant antennas with Chinese-language markings found in Russian Shahed drones revealed that 13 out of 15 components were manufactured by Chinese firms, including key signal-processing chips from the Beijing Microelectronics Technology Institute. Transceivers, signal converters, and other microchips of Chinese origin have become standard in these systems, with the main chip of the CRP antenna—which analyses incoming signals and determines which to ignore—being made by Beijing Microelectronics Technology Institute. The Indian clock buffer, alongside two other unidentified components suspected to be of Chinese origin, suggests Moscow is casting an increasingly wide net to sustain its weapons production.

Production Capabilities And Adaptation

Russia has not only diversified its component sourcing but has also increased its domestic production capabilities. Reports indicate that a Russian plant producing Shahed drones in the special economic zone of Alabuga (Tatarstan) doubled its output from January to September 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The serial numbers on the bodies of downed Shahed drones have reportedly reached 12,000, indicating substantial production volumes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has noted that drones used by Russia in its attacks on Ukraine on January 5 of this year contained 8,755 foreign-made components, highlighting the continued dependence on international supply chains despite sanctions.

Geopolitical Implications

The discovery of an Indian component in Russian weaponry introduces new complexities to the geopolitical landscape surrounding the Ukraine conflict. India has historically maintained a delicate balance in its foreign policy, serving as a long-standing partner of Russia in defence and trade while simultaneously deepening ties with Western nations in recent years. Russia has been India's top arms supplier for years, although international sanctions have forced India to diversify its defence procurement and strengthen relationships with Western arms producers.

While India has publicly urged a diplomatic resolution to Russia's war in Ukraine, it has also continued expanding trade with Moscow. The presence of an Indian component in Russian weaponry could potentially complicate this balancing act, even if its inclusion was unintentional. For Ukraine, the finding is part of a broader effort to document and expose the foreign components fuelling Russia's military operations, with the aim of pressuring sanctioning nations to tighten export controls and disrupt Moscow's supply lines.

China remains Russia's strongest economic and military partner, with both countries conducting joint military drills alongside allies like Belarus and Iran. Beijing has emerged as one of Russia's leading sources of dual-use goods that feed the Russian defence industry, a relationship that has strengthened as Western sanctions have intensified.

Conclusion

The identification of an Indian-made clock buffer in Russian weaponry marks a significant milestone in the evolving landscape of military supply chains amidst the Ukraine conflict. This discovery illustrates Russia's determined efforts to circumvent Western sanctions by diversifying component sourcing and reducing dependence on American technology. The shift toward Chinese and now Indian components demonstrates the challenges of controlling the flow of dual-use technology in a globalized economy, where components designed for civilian purposes can find their way into military applications through complex and often opaque channels.

For Ukraine and its Western allies, this development underscores the need for more comprehensive export control measures and greater international cooperation to prevent the circumvention of sanctions. For India, it presents potential diplomatic challenges as it continues to balance its relationships with Russia and Western nations. As the conflict continues, the technological adaptations and supply chain reconfigurations by Russia will likely remain a critical factor in the broader geopolitical dynamics surrounding the Ukraine war, highlighting the increasingly interconnected nature of global security challenges in the 21st century.

Agencies