A Russian defense enterprise tied to the Su-57 fighter and the PAK DA bomber has been paralyzed by sanctions and the loss of access to foreign technology, according to materials released by the InformNapalm intelligence community and the Fenix cyber center.
The groups published documents from the Voronezh-based company LLC Experimental Design Bureau of Engine Building (OKBM). The company is a key subcontractor to PJSC Tupolev and one of the developers of gearboxes and assemblies for the PAK DA “Poslannik” strategic bomber and the Su-57 fighter.
The documents indicate that manufacturing parts for Russia’s newest aircraft is not possible without imported computer numerical control (CNC) machines. After Western sanctions took effect, the enterprise has been unable to fulfill orders: equipment previously supplied from Germany, Japan and Taiwan is no longer available.
Moscow has tried to bypass restrictions by buying equipment through third countries, but production deadlines are already slipping.
The leaked materials, including a supplemental agreement between OKBM and PJSC Tupolev, reference a project under the code “80RSh” to develop a gearbox-joint for aircraft engines. A technical table shows the part requires sub-0.01 mm tolerances, which the reports say is unattainable without imported machine tools and metrology systems.
Internal audit reports link delays in the PAK DA and Su-57 programs directly to a shortage of machine tools. Russian plants, they say, cannot replicate the required precision and reliability.
Attempts to skirt sanctions
InformNapalm’s investigation also found that OKBM is still covertly purchasing equipment via third countries, including Taiwanese Hartford and Johnford machines and Serbian-made Grindex. The deals are routed through chains of shell companies, with financing involving Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, the groups say.
Experts cited in the materials call this direct evidence of state-backed sanctions evasion and argue it shows Russia cannot produce critical components on its own.
On October 23, 2025, OKBM was added to the EU’s 19th sanctions package. As a result, some foreign suppliers have severed ties with Russia entirely. That puts the entire PAK DA program—intended to replace the aging Tu-95—at risk, as well as further production of the Su-57, Russia’s answer to the F-35.
Russia’s aviation industry has effectively hit a dead end, the experts conclude: without foreign technology, even basic components such as gearboxes and joints cannot be produced domestically.
