Russia has at least one Dutch chipmaking machine that it uses in drones, tanks, and missiles.

Reuters reported that Russian companies were able to obtain spare parts for old ASML chipmaking machines through secondary markets in 2022-2023 despite EU sanctions.

ASML, Europe’s largest technology firm, dominates the market for advanced lithography systems, which use light beams to help create chip circuitry.

Although its 1990s-era tools are not considered “dual use” equipment with potential military applications, they would still be useful for Russian companies making analog chips for the country’s war in Ukraine, including for drones.

Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, European sanctions have blocked sales of electronic equipment to Russia.

ASML told Reuters that it abides by the sanctions and that it had sold few tools in Russia even before they were imposed.

The company noted: “ASML doesn’t sell products or services to Russia and doesn’t interact with Russian distributors. ASML has sent nothing to Russia in recent years, and sanctions restrict the sale of PAS and Twinscan systems, as well as spare parts, to Russia”.

The Dutch newspaper Trouw story focused on ASML’s PAS-5500 tools, which date from the 1990s to the 2000s.

It noted that Russian trading firms purchased the spare parts through Chinese middlemen.

The article mentions 170 cases of the import of such spare parts to Russia, but this information could not be verified.

Although the PAS-5500 is no longer being built, most of the ones made in the past are still in operation.

Previously, in the United States, Raytheon was fined $200 million for 750 violations of the Arms Export Control Act.