As Western sanctions continue to pressure Russia’s defense industry, evidence has emerged that Russian company Planar is using its U.S.-based subsidiary to bypass these restrictions and supply advanced technology to American markets.
This investigation draws on findings from hacktivists “Cyber Resistance” and reveals new details on how Planar, a leading manufacturer of microwave electronics, operates to support Russia’s military ambitions.
Planar, headquartered in Chelyabinsk, Russia, with production facilities in Tomsk, has played a significant role in supplying advanced electronics for Russia’s defense sector. Among its clients are key military projects, including drones like “Inokhodets” and “Orlan-10” as well as electronic warfare systems like “Svet-KU” and “Leer-3.”
Despite being targeted by sanctions from the U.S., UK, Switzerland, and Germany, Planar’s U.S. subsidiary has largely escaped these restrictions, allowing it to continue operating on American soil. This has raised concerns about the flow of technology between the companies and their potential to circumvent export controls.
Planar’s history in the global market is extensive, once holding a 10% share in microwave electronics production worldwide before 2022. For the Russian defense industry, Planar has supplied critical components, including parts for the Su-57 fighter jet through its collaboration with JSC “Microwave Plant,” an enterprise facing production issues due to a lack of Western components.
Planar has continued acquiring Western electronic parts crucial for Russian military hardware through its subsidiary. The company’s equipment, including vector network analyzers like the C1209, resembles those developed by Planar, differing only in branding and minor design elements.
Further evidence of this connection was uncovered when it was revealed that calibration for subsidiary products is still conducted at Planar’s facilities in Chelyabinsk. Additionally, both companies share identical patents for their technology in the U.S. and Russia, highlighting their close ties. These patents list Sergey Zaostrovyakh, the director of Planar, as the inventor, and they also involve Planar’s partner company, NPK TAIR.
The role of Planar’s U.S. subsidiary extends beyond mere production. It acts as a logistical hub for facilitating technology transfers between Russia and the United States, with offices strategically placed in Paphos, Cyprus, to handle the flow of goods between Europe and America. Alexey Surkov, a former head of Planar’s software partner SYNECTA in Tomsk, now serves as the general manager of the European branch, emphasizing the deep-rooted ties between these entities.
Company presence in the U.S. defense industry is notable. The company has provided technology to American firms like Pacific Antenna Systems LLC (PAS), which has secured contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense for producing satellite communication systems. Other clients include the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA, and various defense contractors engaged in developing advanced military technologies.
As the links between Planar continue to surface, it becomes increasingly clear that this setup may be used to funnel Western components into Russia’s defense manufacturing pipeline. The products being supplied through Company could end up enhancing Russia’s military capabilities despite the sanctions designed to cripple its defense sector.
Given these revelations, U.S. authorities must scrutinize the company’s operations and ensure compliance with export controls. As Russia’s military remains engaged in its conflict with Ukraine, the use of these components in weapon systems raises critical concerns about the effectiveness of international sanctions aimed at curtailing Moscow’s war capabilities.
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