RM-48U missiles used by S-400 systems may contain French 3SP Technologies laser modules

While Ukrainian intelligence continues to identify Western-made components in Russian weaponry, a recent report has revealed that RM-48U missiles used by S-400 systems may contain French-origin laser modules manufactured by 3SP Technologies. The information was presented by Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Ukraine’s current Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, during a briefing attended by local media.

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French laser modules in RM-48U missiles

Further details outlined at the event indicated that the French-made laser module is incorporated into the RM-48U missile’s inertial guidance system. This component enables the missile to maintain its course without requiring continuous external signals. More specifically, the part in question is regarded as one of the elements forming the missile’s gyroscope, in both fibre-optic and solid-state RLG variants.

The laser module would not be the only Western component identified by Ukrainian intelligence in these missiles. According to the published reports, RM-48Us also feature an amplifier manufactured by US-based Analog Devices and an integrated circuit from Texas Instruments, also headquartered in the United States. Technicians additionally identified a regulator from Maxim Integrated Products, while circuits made by ON Semiconductor Corporation may also have been used.

Foreign components in Kometa antennas

It should also be noted that RM-48U missiles use 12-channel Kometa antennas. These allow the missile to follow its trajectory using satellite data to correct potential errors generated by the inertial navigation system. A detailed examination found that these systems also rely on foreign-made components, including supercapacitors from Elna Co. of Japan, satellite-navigation modules from Switzerland’s U-blox, and a microcontroller made by Germany’s Infineon Technologies, among other items.

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Against this backdrop, Commissioner Vlasiuk stated: “All these files have been shared with our partners. Accordingly, we expect that all Russian manufacturers of ballistic weapons will be added to sanctions lists between September and October. This affects more than 100 companies (…) If sanctions are imposed and export controls are established, we believe this will have a decisive impact on Russia’s ability to manufacture these ballistic weapons.”

RM-48U role in Russia’s S-400 systems

Beyond the list of foreign components integrated into RM-48U missiles, it is worth recalling that they represent one of the options available to Russia to give its 48N6 models a new purpose and strike ground targets. Following certain design modifications, this expands the functions of its S-400 systems beyond their primarily anti-aircraft role. Based on Ukrainian intelligence assessments, Moscow is believed to currently maintain around 17 launchers adapted for this purpose, with some having been used in previous attacks on Ukrainian territory.

In connection with this, the use of RM-48Us was confirmed in the attacks recorded on 20 January of the current year. At the time, Ukrainian intelligence said this was the first use of this type of weapon since the war began in 2022; that operation also involved Shahed drones, Iskander missiles and Kh-101 missiles. Comparable incidents were reported in the mass bombardments announced by Kyiv on 2 June and 19 July.

RM-48U stocks and planned production

Finally, Russia was estimated to have had an inventory of around 400 RM-48U missiles at the beginning of the year. These were deployed across five different groups, mainly in the Bryansk and Rostov regions, according to Ukrainian intelligence. In production terms, the country reportedly aims to manufacture around 480 units by the end of this year, representing substantial growth compared with previous years. This would stem from the increasing need for a larger number of ballistic missiles as the stockpile of Iskander missiles, heavily used at the outset of the conflict, became depleted.

Images used for illustrative purposes