The governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast, Denis Pasler, has announced a significant milestone in Russia’s defense technology capabilities: the design and construction of the country’s first factory capable of serial production of microwave microchips across the full technological cycle. According to Pasler, the new facility is expected to produce up to 2,000 silicon wafers per year once operational, marking a major step toward self-sufficiency in high-end semiconductor components critical for advanced military systems.
Microwave microchips, also referred to as Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs), are specialized integrated circuits designed to function at microwave frequencies ranging from approximately 300 MHz to 300 GHz. These chips are essential in applications that demand ultrafast data processing and wireless signal handling, including radar systems, satellite communications, unmanned systems, high-speed wireless networks, and defense electronics.
In Russia’s current defense modernization agenda, microwave microchips are expected to play a central role in equipping the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter and the S-500 Prometheus air-defense system, with domestic production targeted by the end of 2027. The new Sverdlovsk factory will be a critical enabler in achieving this timeline, providing a fully domestic supply of these high-performance components.
MMICs integrate multiple electronic components—transistors, resistors, capacitors—on a single semiconductor substrate, typically made of gallium arsenide (GaAs) or silicon. GaAs-based MMICs offer high electron mobility, low noise, and efficient operation even in dense electronic environments, making them ideal for radar and communications systems operating in contested electromagnetic spaces. While GaAs remains the dominant substrate for many applications, gallium nitride (GaN) is increasingly favored for its superior power density and heat dissipation capabilities.
These microchips are at the core of radar systems capable of processing complex signals in real time. They enable radar arrays to detect, track, and identify targets at extreme distances, and allow simultaneous engagement of multiple aerial and ground threats. In addition, MMICs support sensor fusion, electronic warfare (EW) functions, and integrated communication links, creating resilient and multifunctional defense networks.
The Su-57, Russia’s flagship fifth-generation stealth fighter, relies on the N036 Byelka (“Squirrel”) radar system, which likely employs GaAs-based MMICs produced domestically or imported through controlled channels. The N036 Byelka is an advanced X-band Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar developed by the Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design (NIIP).
The radar features a nose-mounted N036-1-01 array containing roughly 1,514 to 1,526 transmit/receive (T/R) modules. Complementing this are two side-looking N036B-1-01 X-band arrays, each with 358 to 404 T/R modules, providing a combined azimuth coverage of up to ±135 degrees. The system also incorporates L-band arrays embedded in the wing leading edges for identification friend or foe (IFF) functions and electronic-warfare capabilities.
Performance specifications suggest the N036 Byelka can detect targets with a radar cross-section of 1 m² at distances up to 400 kilometers. It is capable of tracking 60 airborne and 30 ground targets simultaneously, and engaging up to 16 air and four surface targets in concurrent operational modes. Sensor fusion and rear-facing radar elements provide near-360° situational awareness, enhancing survivability in contested airspace and resilience against electronic countermeasures.
Russia’s S-500 Prometheus air-defense system, intended to succeed the S-400, is expected to incorporate domestically produced microwave microchips through the Sverdlovsk plant. The system employs the Yenisei radar, an advanced S-band AESA platform designed for long-range ballistic and aerodynamic target detection.
The Yenisei features a large 3 × 4 meter AESA array based on GaAs technology. It provides detection ranges up to 600 kilometers, high-resolution imaging, and precise tracking capabilities. The radar is designed for continuous operation in dense electromagnetic environments, with a low probability of intercept (LPI) to reduce vulnerability against hostile electronic surveillance.
Although primarily developed for the S-500, the Yenisei radar can be integrated with existing S-400 batteries, providing multifunctional fire-control capabilities and improving missile guidance accuracy. The system’s robust electronic resilience ensures its operational reliability in scenarios where electronic warfare measures may degrade other radar platforms.
For decades, Russia has produced MMICs domestically through firms such as Mikropribor and Istok. However, these production lines historically depended on imported components, including substrates, precision machinery, and other microelectronics. The imposition of Western sanctions in 2022 restricted access to certain advanced semiconductors, creating temporary vulnerabilities in high-end military electronics supply chains.
Reports and circumstantial evidence suggest that China has acted as a key conduit for such components, with approximately 90% of Russia’s specialized microelectronics—covering guidance, radar, and other military applications—sourced from or routed through China in 2023–2024. For example, some S-400 radar modules reportedly rely on substrates such as US-made RO4003C laminates, which were previously obtained via Chinese intermediaries.
However, these arrangements appear primarily transactional rather than industrial. China itself produces only a limited number of S-400 systems and is unlikely to manufacture critical MMIC components in large quantities for Russia. Instead, China supplies necessary materials, components, and semi-finished electronics to Russia, allowing domestic production to continue under constrained circumstances.
The establishment of a full-cycle microwave microchip factory in Sverdlovsk Oblast represents a strategic pivot toward self-reliance in Russia’s defense electronics sector. By controlling the entire production chain—from wafer fabrication to final chip testing—Russia aims to eliminate dependency on foreign intermediaries, secure supply chains, and ensure continuity in next-generation system deployment.
Governor Denis Pasler emphasized that the facility would mark Russia’s first fully integrated MMIC production complex, capable of handling all stages of design, fabrication, and quality assurance. With an estimated capacity of 2,000 wafers annually, the factory is expected to produce chips for critical applications, including the Su-57 fighter, the S-500 Prometheus system, and potentially other platforms such as the S-350A Vityaz and S-400 air-defense systems.
Experts suggest that this development could have long-term implications for both domestic defense modernization and international arms exports. By reducing reliance on foreign suppliers, Russia can strengthen its position in global defense markets, particularly in countries seeking S-400 systems or Su-57 aircraft.
India, which currently operates three S-400 batteries and is expected to acquire at least ten in the long term, stands to benefit indirectly from Russia’s MMIC production expansion. Local manufacture of S-400 components in India has been under consideration, and HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) is reportedly in advanced technical negotiations with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to assemble Su-57 aircraft domestically.
Given these developments, analysts believe that potential supply chain vulnerabilities caused by Russia’s temporary reliance on Chinese microelectronics will not negatively impact India’s operational readiness or long-term acquisition plans. Russia’s push for domestic MMIC production ensures that Indian systems can continue receiving components without dependency on third-party intermediaries.
India’s own semiconductor ambitions complement this trend. Under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), the country has outlined plans for advanced chip design and production, including capabilities at 3-nanometer nodes. In addition, joint ventures with international partners are underway to produce GaN and SiC semiconductors, with projected production lines operational by 2029. These efforts suggest that India may eventually be capable of manufacturing the necessary electronics for S-400 and Su-57 systems locally, reducing reliance on imports.
Microwave microchips are more than just a component; they are a critical enabler of modern combat systems. AESA radars, which rely on MMICs, offer several strategic advantages over traditional mechanically scanned arrays. They provide faster target acquisition, multi-target tracking, electronic beam steering, and enhanced resistance to jamming.
In the Su-57’s N036 Byelka radar, MMICs enable high-density T/R modules that improve resolution and situational awareness. Similarly, the S-500’s Yenisei radar leverages GaAs MMICs to achieve continuous long-range tracking of ballistic and aerodynamic threats, supporting simultaneous engagement of multiple targets with high precision.
As electronic warfare becomes increasingly sophisticated, the ability to domestically produce reliable MMICs ensures that Russia—and by extension, partner nations—can maintain operational independence in high-stakes environments. This capability is particularly important given the evolving threat landscape, which includes advanced stealth aircraft, hypersonic missiles, and networked battlefield systems.
The Sverdlovsk Oblast facility is still in the design and construction phase, but officials expect it to begin serial production of microwave microchips by the mid-2020s. Full operational capacity, capable of producing up to 2,000 wafers per year, is anticipated by 2027, aligning with Russia’s deployment timeline for the Su-57 and S-500 systems.
The plant is expected to serve as a model for future semiconductor facilities in Russia, potentially expanding into GaN and other next-generation substrates. Analysts suggest that the facility could also support export-oriented production, supplying MMICs for allied countries acquiring Russian defense systems.
The move toward full-cycle MMIC production reflects a broader trend in Russia’s defense strategy: reducing dependency on foreign components while strengthening domestic industrial capabilities. While China has provided short-term relief for certain high-end electronic components, Russia’s long-term goal is to achieve technological sovereignty, ensuring that key defense systems can be produced and maintained independently.
This approach also mitigates risks associated with Western sanctions, which in 2022 disrupted access to critical semiconductors and precision electronics. By investing in domestic wafer fabrication, chip assembly, and testing capabilities, Russia aims to create a resilient supply chain that can withstand geopolitical pressures and continue to supply advanced systems to both domestic forces and international customers.
The construction of Russia’s first full-cycle microwave microchip factory in Sverdlovsk Oblast represents a critical leap in national defense technology. By enabling domestic production of high-performance MMICs, the facility addresses a longstanding dependency on foreign components and machinery, bolstering the operational readiness of platforms such as the Su-57 fighter and the S-500 Prometheus air-defense system.
For international partners such as India, the development reduces concerns over potential supply disruptions and enhances the prospects for local assembly and production of advanced Russian defense systems. Simultaneously, it underscores the strategic importance of semiconductor sovereignty in modern warfare, where advanced electronics and radar capabilities are decisive factors.
As Russia moves toward completing the facility and ramping up production by 2027, the Sverdlovsk plant is poised to become a cornerstone of the country’s defense-industrial base, ensuring that next-generation military systems remain fully supported by domestic technology, while positioning Russia as a resilient supplier in the global defense electronics market.
