Nope, a Dutch newspaper is trying to get readers with big headlines. The story is that Russia uses machines built and delivered by ASML in the 1990s and 00s to make chips (aka old crappy stuff, but good enough to produce drones).
All chipmaking machines come from ASML right?
Mother fuckers!
I mean the russians, not the Dutch.
Just to clear up any confusion.
One of Putin’s first jobs as a low level lackey in the KGB, was to steal computer technology from western companies. This was back in the day when a computer was a “mainframe”.
The sanctions were imperfect back then, and today in a world saturated with chips, sanctions are even harder. The chips required for guidance systems aren’t cutting edge.
But just because sanctions don’t always work, doesn’t mean we should stop trying.
From the article:
“… Although its 1990s-era tools are not considered “dual use” equipment with potential military applications, they would still be useful for Russian companies making analog chips for the country’s war in Ukraine, including for drones.
…
The Dutch newspaper Trouw story focused on ASML’s PAS-5500 tools, which date from the 1990s to the 2000s. …”
.
So probably enough for their missiles.
What I have seen so far could be hard to get, because there is only limited stock of such old stuff.
For drones … at least the current customer drones use chips close
to these in modern smartphones. Just because of the ability for image processing.
The machines could be not suitable for this level of integration anymore.
.
Two years ago I searched for what remained from the Soviet microelectronics
and oh wonder Russia still produces microprocessors like the KOMDIV-32 (and -64).
These have MIPS architecture like a SGI Octane (who can remember this?).
Or if you have a broadband router there is a good chance that this has a MIPS (not Intel, Alpha or ARM)
processor.
Most of the KOMDIV processors are hardened against radiation.
So these can (can) be used in space stations.
But also the nuclear powered “Burevestnik” missile could require something like this.
I was very disturbed by the use of the term “analogue chip”. It sounds like an oxymoron, as a chip, by definition is digital, is it not? Well I was wrong, analogue chips do exist as linear integrated circuits and are described [here](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_integrated_circuit).
Who writes this stuff? The whole article is about ASML parts going to ruzzia via 3rd parties, then the last sentence in the article, “Previously, in the United States, Raytheon was [fined $200 million](https://mil.in.ua/en/news/american-raytheon-fined-for-exports-to-russia/) for 750 violations of the Arms Export Control Act.” what the hell does this have to do with the article?
Nobody *needs* modern chip fabs to build the chips for ballistic or cruise missiles, and any nation state can buy up old chip fab equipment.
A cruise or ballistic missile doesn’t *need* chips built with the latest and greatest in chip production technology. Those weapons will work just fine even if the electronics are less efficient, heavier, bigger and more expensive due to bad yields. Retired 90’s chip production equipment will suffice. Terrain following Tomahawk cruise missiles existed in the 90’s and worked quite well.
The only way this story would qualify as news, was if were to show that ASML is still supporting that equipment in Russia today.
ASML is quoted as not doing so, and no information has been put forward to doubt that statement. So, this story is literally non-news.
(edit: readability)
Bullshit click bait article. There is no control over how antique equipment from the second hand or NOS market finds it’s way to Russia.
10 comments
I mean you can literally get second hand fab equipment on eBay or [Alibaba](https://www.alibaba.com/showroom/used-semiconductor-equipment-for-sale.html)
Nope, a Dutch newspaper is trying to get readers with big headlines. The story is that Russia uses machines built and delivered by ASML in the 1990s and 00s to make chips (aka old crappy stuff, but good enough to produce drones).
All chipmaking machines come from ASML right?
Mother fuckers!
I mean the russians, not the Dutch.
Just to clear up any confusion.
One of Putin’s first jobs as a low level lackey in the KGB, was to steal computer technology from western companies. This was back in the day when a computer was a “mainframe”.
The sanctions were imperfect back then, and today in a world saturated with chips, sanctions are even harder. The chips required for guidance systems aren’t cutting edge.
But just because sanctions don’t always work, doesn’t mean we should stop trying.
From the article:
“… Although its 1990s-era tools are not considered “dual use” equipment with potential military applications, they would still be useful for Russian companies making analog chips for the country’s war in Ukraine, including for drones.
…
The Dutch newspaper Trouw story focused on ASML’s PAS-5500 tools, which date from the 1990s to the 2000s. …”
.
So probably enough for their missiles.
What I have seen so far could be hard to get, because there is only limited stock of such old stuff.
For drones … at least the current customer drones use chips close
to these in modern smartphones. Just because of the ability for image processing.
The machines could be not suitable for this level of integration anymore.
.
Two years ago I searched for what remained from the Soviet microelectronics
and oh wonder Russia still produces microprocessors like the KOMDIV-32 (and -64).
These have MIPS architecture like a SGI Octane (who can remember this?).
Or if you have a broadband router there is a good chance that this has a MIPS (not Intel, Alpha or ARM)
processor.
Most of the KOMDIV processors are hardened against radiation.
So these can (can) be used in space stations.
But also the nuclear powered “Burevestnik” missile could require something like this.
I was very disturbed by the use of the term “analogue chip”. It sounds like an oxymoron, as a chip, by definition is digital, is it not? Well I was wrong, analogue chips do exist as linear integrated circuits and are described [here](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_integrated_circuit).
Who writes this stuff? The whole article is about ASML parts going to ruzzia via 3rd parties, then the last sentence in the article, “Previously, in the United States, Raytheon was [fined $200 million](https://mil.in.ua/en/news/american-raytheon-fined-for-exports-to-russia/) for 750 violations of the Arms Export Control Act.” what the hell does this have to do with the article?
Nobody *needs* modern chip fabs to build the chips for ballistic or cruise missiles, and any nation state can buy up old chip fab equipment.
A cruise or ballistic missile doesn’t *need* chips built with the latest and greatest in chip production technology. Those weapons will work just fine even if the electronics are less efficient, heavier, bigger and more expensive due to bad yields. Retired 90’s chip production equipment will suffice. Terrain following Tomahawk cruise missiles existed in the 90’s and worked quite well.
The only way this story would qualify as news, was if were to show that ASML is still supporting that equipment in Russia today.
ASML is quoted as not doing so, and no information has been put forward to doubt that statement. So, this story is literally non-news.
(edit: readability)
Bullshit click bait article. There is no control over how antique equipment from the second hand or NOS market finds it’s way to Russia.