Between January and September 2024, Russian companies imported $11.8 million worth of goods that are critical to the production of Iskander-M ballistic missiles, according to research by the Economic Security Council of Ukraine (ESCU).
Among EU member states, Italy was the largest supplier of epoxy resin — 84 tonnes worth $264,000, accounting for 21% of Russia’s total imports of this material. Epoxy resin is essential for manufacturing the casings and nozzles of solid-fuel rocket engines used in the Iskander system. Germany ranked second (18%). One shipment of 20 tonnes, produced by Doktors International GmbH and delivered by the Kyrgyz company TKM Part, was valued at $225,000. In total, Russia received 43 tonnes of this German-made material.
Austria, France, Czechia, Sweden, and Germany supplied equipment for carbon fibre production, vacuum-forming machines, and replaceable dies — all directly linked to the production of Iskander-M missiles.
Despite significant involvement from European suppliers, China remained the largest single provider of critical inputs and equipment for Russia’s missile production. In the first nine months of 2024, Chinese companies accounted for 58% of Russia’s carbon fiber imports, 42% of epoxy resin imports (over 270 tonnes worth more than $526,000), and 30% of specialized equipment, including vacuum forming and winding machines.
Yet, notably, Turkey emerged as another crucial supplier in this category, providing 48% of Russia’s total equipment imports—worth $3.5 million—including vacuum forming machines, winding machines, dies, and related components.
The full ESCU research and policy recommendations are available in the attached file.
