Thread by @kamilkazani

"Western machinery is used to build Russian missiles" is not wrong. It's just lacks the context. And the context is:

Computerisation affected metalworking processes unevenly. Machining was so deeply revolutionised, that most of the Soviet conventional base became *useless*

It was absolutely necessary to replace the obsolete Soviet conventional equipment with the imported computerised machines. Starting from 2003, Putin replaced Soviet machines with the automated equipment from the U.S allies

That's how he revived the Russian military production

Forging and pressing were less affected by the implementation of digital control. Consequently, there was often no need to replace the existing equipment

In 2021, the ICBM producer Votkinsk still operated this screwdriver press built in 1915

That's where they build "Yars" btw

This asymmetry in the pace of technological progress is of central importance for understanding the Russian import dependency

1. Machining was fully revolutionised
2. Forging, pressing - no

Therefore, Putin has replaced (1) with modern imported equipment from the U.S. allies

Now machining is the key production process necessary for producing precise parts -> of primary importance for producing any sophisticated weaponry

This is *the* chokepoint*
Also metal sheet fabrication & galvanics

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