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Russia acquires European and Chinese machine tools worth $ 18 billion to sustain war production

European manufacturers’ subsidiaries in Turkiye and Asia help Russia maintain weapons production capability despite sanctions targeting critical machine tools.

byOlena Mukhina

24/01/2025

2 minute read

Russian missiles that hold nuclear warheads on parade during military Victory Day rehearsal on Red Square, Moscow, Russia, 06 May 2012. (EPA/SERGEI ILNITSKY)

Russia acquires European and Chinese machine tools worth $ 18 billion to sustain war production

Russia has procured $18 billion worth of machine tools for weapons production from Europe and China, according to a report by Ukraine’s Economic Security Council.

Since 2023, the sanctions coalition has intensified efforts to block Russia’s access to computer numerical control (CNC) machines. The EU imposed strict bans on the export and re-export of such equipment to Russia. However, these restrictions do not fully cover the activities of European manufacturers’ subsidiaries operating in third countries like Turkiye, China, India, and Malaysia. As a result, Moscow acquired at least 57 CNC machines worth over $26.5 million from European subsidiaries, along with components and consumables valued at more than $9.5 million.

Before its all-out war against Ukraine, Russia relied on imports for 70–90% of its CNC machines, with an even higher dependence of 80–95% for original components.

The top suppliers of CNC machines to Russia were:

China: Over 62% of total deliveries, worth $2.6 billion
Taiwan: 8.9%, worth $371 million
South Korea: 5.47%, worth $228 million

European manufacturers accounted for nearly 10% of Russia’s imports, delivering over 10,000 CNC machines valued at $405 million, including:

Italy: 4,459 machines worth $168.8 million
Germany: 2,849 machines worth $139.9 million

Russia also imported machine components and consumables worth over $14 billion. While $7 billion came from China, Europe contributed significantly:

Switzerland: Over 20% of components, valued at $2.6 billion
Germany: 3.5%, worth $500 million

The report noted that the Istanbul branch of Germany’s Emag Salach GmbH produced at least 17 CNC machines worth $14.7 million, later exported to Russia. This equipment is used in Russian military plants, including the Titan-Barricades Scientific and Production Center, which manufactures ballistic missile launchers and artillery components.

Other European brands, such as Trumpf, DMG Mori, Chiron, Grob, Schneider Electric, and Siemens, were also identified as sources of equipment for Russia’s defense sector.

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