Russia Prepares New Chip Plant, Seeks ASML Lithography Specialists

According to CNews, two market sources reported that the Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan is preparing to launch integrated circuit production. The site has reportedly received ASML photolithography machines, Lam Research etching reactors, Applied Materials implanters, and other full-cycle chip manufacturing equipment. A job posting on HeadHunter from June 30, 2026, for a lead commissioning engineer for the IC line lists this exact equipment and offers a salary of 150,000 rubles, with relocation to Yelabuga. Another vacancy for an operator-adjuster with the same salary involves setting up control and measurement equipment. Expert Konstantin Lapotko from SNDGlobal explained that this equipment is essential for chip production, and without knowing the specific ASML lithography model, the chip topology cannot be determined. He noted that Russia's most needed processes are mature nodes of hundreds and tens of nanometers, used for microcontrollers, interface chips, analog and mixed-signal devices, power electronics, and controllers for transport, energy, and communications. He added that Alabuga is already a major industrial center for unmanned systems, so the chip production may be related to drone needs, but chips could also serve telecom, industrial automation, and other sectors. No details on capacity, launch dates, or topology norms are available yet.