The end of the war in Ukraine could be near, and Taiwan’s GPS technology could be key to Russia’s fall. That’s according to former Soviet officer Agil Rustamzade, who spoke recently to Japanese media outlet Asahi Shimbun. In an exclusive interview, the ex-officer said that due to a string of global sanctions and embargoes, Russia can no longer import Taiwan-made GPS receivers. He said that once this key technology was used up, Russia’s military would lose much of its missile-strike capabilities.
In a report by Japan’s Asahi Shimbun, a former Soviet officer assessed the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war. He said that, under pressure from various sanctions and embargoes, Russia was likely to run out of resources within two weeks and fail in its campaign against Ukraine. According to the ex-officer, Russia will soon lose access to made-in-Taiwan GPS technology that allows missiles to strike their target.
Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
Taiwan’s GPS receivers first distinguished themselves on the battlefield during the Gulf War. The U.S. military used our handheld GPS units, which were of great use to them in that war. Today we can see from the publicly available information that many Russian aircraft or military vehicles, including those on the ground, also use GPS receivers from this particular Taiwanese brand.
Voice of Taiwanese GPS manufacturer
See the machines produced by this production line over here. Whether you’re flying in the sky, sailing or boating, or fighting in the Gulf War, all the machines you could possibly use are designed by this factory here in Taiwan.
The former Soviet officer said he was not optimistic about Russia’s prospects in the war. Severe trade sanctions have raised the cost of Russia’s invasion beyond what its economy can bear, according to the source. He said the Russian army was still using weapons from World War II, and leaning more on infantry and tanks rather than precision-guided weapons.
Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
It’s like Ukraine is fighting an information-based battle in the 21st century, or a war on a digital battlefield, while Russia has returned to World War II and is fighting a mechanized war. That is very unfavorable for Russia.
Now in its 29th day, the Russia-Ukraine war continues to rivet the world. Taiwan’s GPS technology could prove key to its future.
