The parts were found to be used in Iran’s Shahed 136 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), which are being used extensively by the Russian Army as they are cheap in comparison to other drones. Iran had reportedly sent 2,000 completely assembled drones to Russia initially, which later started an assembly unit of its own.
The issue was raised at least twice by Ukraine, the report stated. Ukraine diplomats raised the matter with David O’Sullivan, the EU sanctions envoy when he visited India in mid-July to brief about the EU’s sanctions package against India, which also mentioned the Vadinar refinery, co-owned by Russia’s energy company Rosneft.The documents reviewed by the HT identify that electronic parts, either made or assembled in India, from Vishay Intertechnology and Aura Semiconductor were found.
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“A ‘bridge rectifier E300359’ of Vishay Intertechnology assembled in India was used in the Shahed’s voltage regulator unit, while a PLL-based signal generator AU5426A chip made by Aura Semiconductor was used in the jammer-proof antenna for the drone’s satellite navigation system, according to the documents,” the report stated.
CNBC-TV18 could not independently verify the report.
The MEA responded to a query by HT stating that “due diligence” is carried out to ensure no violation of laws.
“The exports of dual-use items are in keeping with its international obligations on non-proliferation and based on its robust domestic legal and regulatory framework. Due diligence is conducted to ensure that such exports do not violate any of our laws,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was quoted as saying by HT.
While Vishay Intertechnology did not respond, Aura Semiconductor’s co-founder Kishore Ganti said the company opposes any activity of its parts being moved through unauthored third-party ways.
“We are deeply disturbed by the possibility that any of our components may have reached defence manufacturers through unauthorised third-party channels, in violation of our stated compliance framework and distribution agreements. We strongly oppose such activity and are committed to taking action wherever compliance gaps are identified,” a statement by Aura Semiconductor read, as per HT.
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The component is reportedly a “plug-and-play” one which could be used without dependence on Aura for any kind of support, “making it difficult for Aura to trace the end users in this instance”, as per Ganti.
Ukraine’s defence intelligence unit also reported to have found the electronic units from American and Chinese companies being used in the drones and weapons used by Russia.
