Half of X-59 Missile Component Makers Unsanctioned, Yet Russia Faces Manufacturing Problems

Despite the fact that almost half of the companies involved in the production of the X-59 aircraft missile are still not under sanctions, Russia is already experiencing significant problems with fulfilling its state defense order.

The Gaze reports on it, referring to the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR).

The X-59 missile is a Soviet and Russian subsonic high-precision air-to-surface missile with a medium range. It is designed to destroy important enemy ground and surface targets covered by air defense systems.

Fifty companies, or 40% of all those involved in the production of the X-59 missile, are still not subject to sanctions, but Russia is facing serious disruptions in fulfilling its state defense order, which is essential for continuing the war against Ukraine.

“The constant shortage of domestic and foreign components, limited production capacity, and schedule disruptions are forcing Russian companies to regularly report on delays in the pace and timing of missile production,” the statement noted.

Even the use of old systems does not help with the fulfillment of state orders. It is reported that Russia is massively dismantling and re-equipping old R95 engines and homing head components to solve the problem of a shortage of necessary components.

There have been cases where mock-ups were installed on X-59 missiles instead of real active radar homing heads (ARH). As is well known, ARH remains the most expensive and problematic element in the production of this type of missile.

Despite this, dozens of Russian companies that manufacture electronics, guidance systems, and key components for the X-59 have not yet been subject to sanctions. Their products allow for the adaptation and modernization of turbojet engines, extending the life of weapons that take the lives of peaceful Ukrainians every day.

Russia's production problems with the X-59 missile clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of sanctions.

“Further pressure and expansion of sanctions restrictions on companies supplying lower-tier components could further slow down the production of Russia's main weapons,” the report concludes.

As The Gaze informed earlier, Russian aircraft manufacturers managed to deliver just one out of the 15 planned commercial aircraft, hindered by sanctions on foreign components and limited investment due to high interest rates, mirroring broader industrial challenges.