Report: Russian Su-34 and Su-35S Jets Composed Primarily of Western Electronics

Russian Sukhoi-built Su-34 and Su-35S fighter jets are almost entirely composed of Western-made electronics.

This is stated in the report PARTS OF THE PROBLEM: Tracing Western Tech in Russia’s Deadliest Jets, prepared by the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) in cooperation with the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) and Hunterbrook Media.

NAKO identified and traced the origin of 1,115 of the 1,119 electronic components used in these aircraft.

Manufacturers include Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, Intel, Murata, Maxim, OnSemi, Vicor, and other leading companies.

The main countries of origin are the US, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.

In total, 68 percent of the electronics in the Russian Su-34 fighter jet come from the US, with another 16.2 percent coming from Japan.

This is followed by 7 percent from European Union countries, 4.4 percent from Switzerland, 3.1%  from Taiwan, 0.9% from South Korea, and the same amount from other countries.

The ratio of components in the Su-35S fighter jet is almost identical.

All these components enter Russia through an extensive network of importers and suppliers, including intermediaries and front companies in China, Hong Kong, Turkey, the UAE, and some EU countries.

Western defense industry involvement in servicing Sukhoi aircraft

Earlier, on October 10, 2024, it was reported that the international intelligence community InformNapalm had contacted French companies Thales and Safran regarding the use of their equipment on Russian fighter jets serviced in Kazakhstan.

In particular, it was found that ARC Group provides maintenance services for Russian Su-30SMs in circumvention of international sanctions, using avionics manufactured by Thales and Safran.

As of 2024, Russia has up to 130 modernized Su-30SM fighters equipped with French equipment.