We already knew that Russian missiles and drones mainly use Western electronic components, mainly American but also European and especially French.
Now we have discovered that a new Russian military underwater detection network, installed in front of the approaches to submarine bases in the Murmansk region, also contains an abundance of Western equipment. Here too, certain components are French and come in particular from Brittany.
The revelation was made by The World on October 23, as part of an investigation carried out by a consortium of European, American and Japanese media, coordinated by the German TV channel NDR and the investigative journalism network Lighthouse Reports.
Russia’s Underwater Arctic Surveillance Network Raises Tensions
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The Arctic is once again becoming a focal point of geopolitical competition, particularly concerning Russia’s growing military presence and surveillance capabilities. A newly revealed underwater detection network,detailed in reports by The World this Thursday,is raising concerns among Western intelligence agencies,in particular American submarines,which carry out espionage missions in this strategic area. The history of the Cold War is full of episodes of extreme tension due to american incursions into what remained the main bastion of the Russian navy.
It is in fact in Murmansk and its surroundings that several bases of the Northern Fleet are located. They are home to the majority of Russian submarine forces, including nuclear submarines carrying ballistic missiles which constitute Russia’s ultimate nuclear strike capability in the event of a major conflict.
The underwater detection network is also part of Russia’s rise in power in the Arctic, where Vladimir Putin has reopened former Soviet bases, while he is banking on the development of the northern sea route to China.
A CIA alert
The revelations published this Thursday by The World learn that this detection network includ
French Firms Tighten Export Controls After Russia Concerns
Whether it is equipment for civil or dual use, François-Xavier de Cointet ensures that RTSys “strictly complies with french state export controls.” He specifies that he gave “a turn of the screw” internal controls after the takeover.
Freedom of action for Russian submarines
The other French company concerned is iXblue (now Exail). Before 2022 (and therefore before the tougher sanctions against Russia) it sold equipment “for scientific and/or industrial purposes such as offshore operations.”