Monday, May 9th 2022
Russia Cut-Off From ARM CPU Designs in Tightening Sanctions Landscape
Russia has been dealt yet another blow to its technological capabilities, as countries around the world engage in an economic war against the nation following its invasion of Ukraine back in February. The UK government has recently added two major chip-design Russian companies, Baikal Electronics and MCST (Moscow Center of SPARC Technologies) to its sanctioned entity list, meaning that these companies are no longer able to acquire ARM licensing for its homegrown chips. The move is just another in a series of coordinated (and uncoordinated) sanctions.
According to a note provided by the UK government, the aim of the sanctions is to curb Russia's access to devices that could support its war efforts in Ukraine while propping-up the country's degrading technological infrastructure. This effectively shuts the door for Russia to solicit manufacturing from foundries outside its own territory. And even if Russia elected to manufacture its ARM-based designs in-country, thus skirting sanction-respecting foundries, the country's chip manufacturing is currently thought to only be capable of manufacturing chips at a 90 nm process - which the Western world has moved on from since 2006 already.
Sources:
UK Government, via Tom's Hardware
According to a note provided by the UK government, the aim of the sanctions is to curb Russia's access to devices that could support its war efforts in Ukraine while propping-up the country's degrading technological infrastructure. This effectively shuts the door for Russia to solicit manufacturing from foundries outside its own territory. And even if Russia elected to manufacture its ARM-based designs in-country, thus skirting sanction-respecting foundries, the country's chip manufacturing is currently thought to only be capable of manufacturing chips at a 90 nm process - which the Western world has moved on from since 2006 already.
25 Comments on Russia Cut-Off From ARM CPU Designs in Tightening Sanctions Landscape
While 3nm GAA is surely not needed for military purposes, one can argue that modern weapon systems (or at least tactical ones) are not competitive without a good manufacturing process (node). One that CCCP currently don't have.
Exempli gratia, the now popular Javelins, MANPADS and such rely on imaging and other heavy compute intensive (in realtime nonetheless). AFAIK the only publicly known Russian ATGM is only laser-guided i.e., LoS. Problem here is the guidance electronics. Javelins for example are fire-and-forget after lock is obtained.
With SIGINT and others in this line, fast, modern chips make all the difference.
It is not like:
- Hey, China! We want to check if your missiles use stolen IP and unlicensed technology!
- OK! Just tell us where you want the missiles delivered, so that you can check them yourselves! :D
www.electronicdesign.com/markets/automotive/article/21174750/electronic-design-intel-to-commit-foundry-capacity-for-chipstarved-auto-industry
I imagine they'll get what they need from alterative avenues, one's they clearly already have open.
As for military chip's, I am not so sure they're all such big node chip's even space has seen vast improvement in radiation hardened IC technology.
I wouldn't wager, I am not totally sure though, just things like the new cockpit screens, Aesa, gallium, based radar chips etc surely some of the latest kit Has to use the later tech no.
Case in point - Tesla is a big customer of nvidia's. Many other high-end brands want only the crop of the cream, so people need to actually wait for over 12 months for their new ride. OK, in all fairness other electronic components are also in demand for vehicles, not just chips.Also a Hikvision dome camera! Fookin' hell, mate! :D