Kh-59 production stalls as foreign suppliers ghost Russia – GUR
Russian enterprises have reported non-compliance with the pace and deadlines for the production of Kh-59 cruise missiles due to a shortage of foreign components, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR) has said.
"The constant shortage of domestic and foreign element base, limited production capacity and schedule disruptions force Russian enterprises to regularly report non-compliance with the pace and deadlines for the production of missiles," the special service said in a message on its Telegram channel.
It is noted that 116 enterprises are involved in the production of Kh-59M2/M2A missiles, almost 50 companies (40%) from this list are still not under sanctions by any country in the world. And even under such conditions, the Russian Federation is already experiencing serious problems with the implementation of state defense orders.
According to the GUR, in order to somehow save the situation, "defense" enterprises are resorting to cannibalism of old systems - they are massively disassembling and adapting old P95 engines and homing head components.
There have also been cases where large-scale mock-ups were installed on the Kh-59 missiles instead of active radar homing heads. This component is the most expensive element of the missile and at the same time the main problem for Russian production.
"Despite this, dozens of enterprises in Russia that manufacture electronic components, guidance systems and other key components of the Kh-59 still remain outside the sanctions lists. Their products make it possible to adapt and modernize turbojet engines, extending the service life of weapons that kill peaceful Ukrainians every day," the intelligence service noted.
The GUR added that the above examples prove that sanctions are working.
"Further increased pressure and expansion of sanction restrictions on enterprises that supply lower-level components can further reduce the pace of production of the main Russian weapons," the intelligence service said.