The U.S. Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations is holding a hearing to examine how American semiconductors ended up in Russian weapons used in Ukraine, despite strict export controls.
Restrictions Imposed
Led by Senator Richard Blumenthal, the hearing will feature executives from four major U.S. tech companies: Analog Devices, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Intel, and Texas Instruments, according to Ziare.
The committee is investigating how these companies' products, especially semiconductors, have been consistently found in recovered Russian military equipment, including drones, radios, missiles, and armored vehicles.
These findings come despite the United States imposing export restrictions on such technology following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Take Proactive Steps
While Intel has declined to comment, the other three companies have not yet responded to requests for statements. However, representatives from each company, including vice presidents overseeing trade compliance, will testify at the hearing.
Earlier this year, Blumenthal expressed concerns that U.S. chip manufacturers were not doing enough to prevent their products from being diverted into Russian military equipment.
Preliminary data suggests a rise in exports to countries that Russia might be using to circumvent export controls, according to a Senate memo released in February.
AMD, Texas Instruments, and Analog Devices have previously issued statements on the matter.
AMD has expressed support for public-private partnerships to combat illegal product diversion, while Texas Instruments emphasized the significant resources it has invested to keep its chips "out of the hands of bad actors." Analog Devices also noted that it has taken "proactive steps" to mitigate gray market risks.
