CAR: More Than Half of Identified Components in North Korean Missiles Counterfeit

Researchers have identified counterfeit electronic components in Russian, Iranian, and North Korean weapons seized in Ukraine.

The findings are detailed in a report by the international organization Conflict Armament Research (CAR).

The highest share of counterfeit components was found in North Korean Hwasong-11 (KN-23) ballistic missiles, with more than half of the identified components found to be counterfeit.

Since January 2024, CAR specialists have examined the debris of 11 North Korean missiles, recovering hundreds of microchips, voltage converters and memory components.

CAR sent 147 requests to manufacturers to identify components. Ten companies confirmed that markings on components were likely or definitively counterfeit.

Of the 81 North Korean missile components CAR traced, 42, or 51.9%, were identified as counterfeit or suspected counterfeits.

By comparison, counterfeit components accounted for 16% of those identified in Iranian weapons and about 20% in Russian weapons.

Among the counterfeit components were metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) from a U.S. brand, found in a Hwasong-11 missile after a strike on the Poltava region in December 2024.

The U.S. manufacturer confirmed the components were counterfeit, citing discrepancies in casing shape, marking placement, and serial numbers.

Manufacturers identify counterfeit components by errors in logos, incorrect fonts, or date codes indicating periods when the company did not yet exist at the time.

The widespread use of counterfeit components indicates the effectiveness of international sanctions, which are forcing North Korea, Iran, and Russia to procure components on the black market.

The use of uncertified components directly affects missile reliability and accuracy, which helps explain the high rate of deviations among North Korean missiles in early 2024.