Austrian company caught supplying missile parts to Russia
Photo: Austrian company supplies Russia with missile parts (Getty Images)
Russia is using components from the Austrian company Roithner Lasertechnik GmbH in the production of missiles designed to counter F-16 fighter jets, the private analytics and reconnaissance company Dallas reports.
In particular, Dallas obtained a document from a source close to the Russian company TRV‑Engineering JSC that confirms the possible use of Austrian-made products from Roithner Lasertechnik GmbH in weapons manufacturing. The estimated production completion date is July 28, 2025.
The letter is dated July 15, 2025, and was sent by Mikhail Kolesnikov, CEO of TRV‑Engineering JSC, to Vasyl Aksyonov, CEO of Azov Optical‑Mechanical Plant JSC.
In the letter, Kolesnikov informs Aksyonov about the results of tests on 28 RLT1060-100G diodes manufactured by Roithner Lasertechnik GmbH.
"The results obtained confirmed the possibility of obtaining chips with a target radiation wavelength of 1060 nm. Currently, the process of dicing the plate and preliminary assembly (die bonding) of some of the blanks is being carried out for additional measurements and refinement of the optical characteristics," the letter states.
Both companies mentioned in the letter are closely linked to the Russian Tactical Missile Corporation and are part of its structure, the main missile manufacturer in Russia.
Roithner Lasertechnik GmbH specializes in optical instruments and photographic equipment.
The Russian Azov Optical-Mechanical Plant manufactures optical, laser, and electronic systems, including components for missile and anti-tank weapons, homing heads, thermal imaging and target acquisition devices, and other optoelectronic products.
TRV-Engineering is tasked with finding foreign companies that are willing to bypass sanctions and supply Russia with critical components for weapons production, including Kh-101 missiles.
"Roithner Lasertechnik GmbH may be voluntarily maintaining contact with TRV-Engineering despite EU sanctions. In this relationship, the Austrian company tests products for the customer and keeps the Russian side informed of the results," Dallas analysts report.
They suggest that the Austrian diodes are likely being used by Russia to improve the guidance systems for air-to-air missiles - the type of missiles used to target F-16 fighter jets, including those operated by Ukraine.
At the same time, the source noted that Russian companies may be concealing the end use of these components from Roithner Lasertechnik GmbH.
"We cannot definitively determine how transparent this cooperation is (...) However, any cooperation with a Russian defense-related company is clearly toxic and entails serious risks," Dallas analysts concluded.
Western components in Russian weapons
US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg was recently shown Western-made electronic parts discovered in Russian weapons during a visit to Kyiv. These parts were retrieved from missiles, Shahed drones, and other weaponry.
Among the identified components was critical microelectronics essential for the production of high-precision weapons - obtained by Russia's defense-industrial complex through gray-market schemes that bypass international sanctions.
Kellogg was shown Western components found in Iranian-Russian Shahed (Geran) kamikaze drones and Russian Gerber drones, both of which are used in strikes against civilian targets in Ukraine.
