NEW DELHI, INDIA – Ukraine has formally raised concerns with the Indian government and the European Union (EU) regarding electronic components made or assembled by Indian-based firms that have been discovered in Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones. These drones are being used extensively by the Russian armed forces in the conflict, according to people familiar with the matter.
Ukrainian officials first brought the issue to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs through formal diplomatic correspondence on at least two occasions since last year. The matter was also discussed with the EU’s sanctions envoy, David O’Sullivan, during his visit to New Delhi in mid-July. O’Sullivan’s visit was part of a briefing for Indian officials on the EU’s latest sanctions package, which now includes restrictions on Russian energy and refined products.
Specific Components and Companies Identified
According to documents reviewed by HT, an investigation by Ukrainian authorities established that components from Vishay Intertechnology and Aura Semiconductor—either assembled or made in India—were “used by Russia in the production of the Shahed 136” unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). The documents provided detailed information and images of the specific components.
Vishay Intertechnology: A “bridge rectifier E300359” assembled in India was reportedly found in the Shahed’s voltage regulator unit.
Aura Semiconductor: A PLL-based signal generator AU5426A chip, a “plug-and-play” component, was allegedly used in the drone’s jammer-proof antenna for its satellite navigation system.
While the Indian firms involved have not violated any Indian laws, the issue highlights a significant challenge in global supply chains. A representative of Bengaluru-based Aura Semiconductor, Kishore Ganti, stated the company’s commitment to ethical product use and compliance with all export control laws, expressing being “deeply disturbed” by the possibility that components may have been diverted through “unauthorised third-party channels.” Ganti also noted that a limited audit was “inconclusive” in tracing the end-user due to the nature of the component.
Indian Government’s Response and Broader Context
In response to a query, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India’s exports of dual-use items comply with its international non-proliferation obligations and a “robust domestic legal and regulatory framework.” He emphasized that “due diligence is conducted to ensure that such exports do not violate any of our laws.”
Following Ukraine’s initial communication, representatives from Indian security agencies reportedly visited manufacturers of electronic components and chips in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai to sensitize them about international restrictions on dual-use items.
Analysts like Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), suggest that the components were likely legally exported to legitimate third countries, such as those in West Asia, and then diverted to Russia or Iran. He stressed that while India must strengthen exporter awareness about “high-risk geographies and flagged entities,” tracing the end-use of goods once they leave Indian borders is a challenge faced by every open economy.
The Shahed-136, a relatively inexpensive but effective drone, has been a key weapon in Russia’s arsenal. Ukraine’s defence intelligence directorate has also reported finding electronic components from firms in the U.S. and China on Russian weapons.