The government has launched an investigation after British components were used in weapons systems stationed by Russia in Ukraine.
Inspections of an abandoned set left by Vladimir Putin’s forces have revealed a deep dependence on Western-made parts, according to field research by academics at the Royal United Services Institute (Russia).
Only in one example it was found that the mobile jamming system Borisoglebsk-2 contains complex components manufactured in the United Kingdom, USA, Germany, South Korea, Taiwan, the Netherlands.
Parts of the United Kingdom include a number of high-frequency transistors, examples of so-called dual-use electronics that can be used for both military and civilian purposes.
The Telegraph understands that Whitehall has launched an investigation into the British components and how they were used in a Russian kit.
On Friday, a spokesman for the Ministry of International Trade said: “We have imposed the biggest and toughest economic sanctions Russia has faced to help cripple Putin’s military machine, including by sanctioning key defense organizations. and a ban on critical technology exports.
“The United Kingdom has one of the most stable and transparent export control regimes in the world, and Russia was immediately given an arms embargo in July 2014 following the illegal annexation of Crimea.
Businesses have been banned from exporting dual-use technology to Russia since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine. There is no suspicion that the British suppliers deliberately violated the rules.
However, experts have expressed concern that high-value parts and weapons could continue to enter Russia if sold to countries such as India, which is seen as a major smuggling route to the Kremlin.
Speaking during a foreign visit to New Delhi last month, Boris Johnson said the government would seek to block “doors of all kinds” used by the Putin regime.
The suffocation of supplies of spare parts needed for weapons and equipment is seen as a way to degrade Moscow’s military machine over time.
However, Dr. Jack Watling and Nick Reynolds, the authors of the Russian report, warned that this would be complicated, as in many cases the Russians used covert tactics to cover up who the units ended up.
The Kremlin is using bogus companies, middlemen and even extortion to get what it needs, they said. In various cases, they are believed to have used Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, as a way to buy high-tech parts for the military.
The researchers said: “Although Russian weapons are full of Western-made components, it is unclear whether the companies that make them knew that the Russian military was the end user.
“Many components are dual-use technologies. Russia, meanwhile, has set up mechanisms to launder these items through third countries.
“In addition, there are countless companies based around the world, including the Czech Republic, Serbia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, India and China, that will take significant risks to meet Russian supply requirements.
They said restricting these supplies could force the UK government to restrict exports of dual-use goods to third countries such as India, but that risks a diplomatic response.
On the day of their report, ministers announced they would ease arms export agreements with New Delhi in a bid to promote closer defense co-operation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Mr Reynolds said India’s relations with Russia were also “very complicated” because it relied on Moscow to supply equipment for its own large army.
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