India-Made Drone Components Alleged in Russian Drone Attacks on Ukraine

India in the Crosshairs: Ukraine War, Trade Tariffs, and Global Supply Chain Concerns

In a surprising turn in the Ukraine war, India has become the centre of the spotlight. Ukrainian officials disclosed four months ago, via Facebook and twitter, that they had discovered parts made in India inside drones used by Russian forces. These drones, known as Shahed 136, were originally built in Iran, but contained navigation chips and voltage regulators either made or assembled in India.

Ukraine has raised concerns twice in the last year regarding Indian parts found in the drones. The issue was also flagged during the visit of David O’Sullivan to New Delhi in July, coinciding with EU sanctions discussions.This followed the Trump goverment’s 25% tariff on India, signaling deeper concerns.

india maintains it adheres to strict export laws for dual-use parts – those applicable to both civilian and military equipment. The Ministry of External Affairs stated India carefully vets exports to prevent illegal use.

aura Semiconductor, a Bengaluru-based company whose parts were identified, explained the difficulty in tracking the end-use of its plug-and-play products once sold, expressing concern over potential misuse.

The issue stems from complex global supply chains. Legally exported parts from India may reach conflict zones after transiting through countries in West Asia. Indian security agencies have begun alerting manufacturers in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai about export regulations and associated risks.

Andriy Yermak, a senior ukrainian representative, has appealed to the international community to halt the supply of these components to Russia, arguing it would save lives in Ukraine.

Simultaneously occurring, the US has taken a critically important step. President Donald Trump has imposed a twenty-five percent tax on most Indian products starting in August 2025. This will increase the cost of Indian goods in the US, particularly electronics, potentially harming Indian manufacturers.

The tariff is linked to India’s growing trade with Russia, including oil imports. The increased tax may reduce Indian exports and raise product prices.

Consider apple, which manufactures a substantial number of iPhones in India for export to the US. These will become more expensive with the new tariffs, potentially hindering India’s development as a global manufacturing hub and leading to job losses and decreased exports.

This situation highlights the interconnectedness of global trade, politics, and technology. India needs to strengthen export controls and regulate trade to safeguard its economy and avoid entanglement in conflicts, fostering both peace and economic development.

Related: Trump Repositioned 2 Nuclear Submarines to Threaten Russia

What specific types of microchips manufactured in India are alleged to be present in the Shahed-136 drones?

The Allegations: A Deep Dive

Recent reports have surfaced alleging the presence of India-manufactured components within drones used by Russia in attacks against Ukraine. These claims, initially gaining traction in late 2024 and intensifying in early 2025, center around specific electronic components found in downed Shahed-136 drones. The core of the issue revolves around the sourcing of parts – specifically, microchips, navigation modules, and perhaps other critical elements – that circumvent international sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

The allegations don’t point to direct Indian government involvement, but rather to potential loopholes in export controls and the possibility of components being routed through third-party countries.This has sparked a debate regarding India’s neutrality in the conflict and the effectiveness of global sanctions regimes. Key terms related to this issue include: drone warfare, Ukraine conflict, Russian military, sanctions evasion, and Indian exports.

Identifying the Components & Supply Chain Routes

Investigations, primarily led by independent open-source intelligence (OSINT) groups and reported by several international media outlets, have identified specific Indian manufacturers whose components allegedly appear in the drones.

Microchips: Several reports highlight the presence of microchips produced by Indian companies within the guidance systems of Shahed-136 drones. These chips are commonly used in civilian applications, making their diversion for military purposes more challenging to track.

Navigation Modules: Indian-made navigation modules are also suspected of being integrated into the drones, aiding in their precision targeting capabilities.

Third-Party Intermediaries: The supply chain is believed to be complex, involving intermediaries in countries like Kazakhstan, Turkey, and the UAE. These nations act as transit points, obscuring the origin of the components and making it arduous to pinpoint direct violations of sanctions.

Component Types: Specific components mentioned in reports include resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits. These are relatively low-cost items, but crucial for the functionality of the drones.

India’s Response and Official Statements

The Indian government has initiated investigations into the allegations. Initial responses have emphasized India’s commitment to non-alignment and adherence to international sanctions. Though, officials have also pointed to the difficulty in monitoring the export of dual-use goods – items with both civilian and military applications.

Export Control Measures: India has been strengthening its export control regulations in recent years, but the sheer volume of exports and the complexity of global supply chains pose significant challenges.

Diplomatic Discussions: India has engaged in diplomatic discussions with both Russia and Ukraine to reiterate its neutral stance and commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Inquiry Status: As of August 6, 2025, the investigation is ongoing, with no conclusive findings publicly released. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is reportedly playing a key role in the investigation.

Implications for India’s Geopolitical Standing

The allegations have the potential to substantially impact India’s geopolitical standing.

Relationship with the West: Western nations, particularly the United States and European Union members, have expressed concern over the reports and have urged India to thoroughly investigate the matter. A failure to address the concerns could strain India’s relationships with its western partners.

Relationship with Russia: India maintains a long-standing strategic partnership with Russia, including significant defense trade. Any action taken against Indian companies supplying components to Russia could jeopardize these ties.

Impact on Defense Industry: The allegations could lead to increased scrutiny of india’s defense industry and its export controls,potentially hindering its growth and competitiveness.

Reputational Risk: The situation poses a reputational risk for india, potentially damaging its image as a responsible global actor.

The Role of Dual-Use Technology & Export Controls

The case highlights the challenges associated with regulating dual-use technology.These are goods, software, and technologies that have legitimate civilian applications but can also be used for military purposes.

Loopholes in Regulations: Existing export control regulations frequently enough have loopholes that allow components to be diverted for unintended purposes.

Need for Enhanced Monitoring: There is a growing need for enhanced monitoring of exports, particularly to countries subject to sanctions.

International Cooperation: Effective export control requires international cooperation and information sharing to prevent sanctions evasion.

Supply Chain Openness: Increased transparency in global supply chains is crucial for identifying and addressing potential risks. Related keywords: dual-use goods, export regulations, supply chain security, international trade.

Case Study: similar Instances of Sanctions Evasion

This isn’t the first instance of sanctions evasion involving drone technology.

Iran’s Drone Program: Similar allegations have been made regarding the sourcing of components for Iran’s drone program, with reports indicating the use of components from countries like China and Turkey.

Syrian conflict: During the Syrian conflict, investigations revealed the use of commercially available drones modified for military purposes, with components sourced from various countries.

Lessons Learned: These cases highlight the need for proactive measures to prevent the diversion of dual-use technology and the importance of robust export control mechanisms.

Practical Tips for Businesses & Manufacturers

For Indian businesses and manufacturers involved in the production and export of electronic components:

Enhanced Due Diligence: Implement robust due diligence procedures to verify the end-use of their products.

Know Your Customer (KYC): Conduct thorough KYC checks on all