The Russian company MCST, known for its Elbrus line of processors, is weighing a plan to move production from Taiwan to a factory in Mikron, located in Zelenograd. Media outlets have reported this consideration as part of a broader discussion about maintaining domestic chip manufacturing amid geopolitical pressures.
Historically, Elbrus chips were made at facilities owned by TSMC. After sanctions restricted new orders for certain high‑tech components, TSMC refused to continue producing new Elbrus processors. This opened the door to a potential shift of production back into Russia. Mikron, a major Russian semiconductor manufacturer, would be the likely site for such a transition. Yet Mikron’s existing process technologies limit its ability to produce the Elbrus family. The company operates at process scales from 180 nanometers down to 90 nanometers, while TSMC can manufacture chips from 90 nm down to 5 nm, with plans extending to about 3 nm in the future. This disparity means Mikron would face a significant technological gap if it were to take over full production and keep up with the existing Elbrus lineup.
Because of these different process nodes, it is no longer feasible to produce certain newer Elbrus models in Russia at the same specifications. In fact, only a portion of the nineteen Elbrus chips are currently produced at 90 nm or larger, while the rest require more advanced technical capabilities that Mikron does not yet possess. The shift would not be simple or cheap; analysts suggest that moving production to a new site would require several billion rubles in the near term to cover investment, equipment upgrades, and transition costs. The financial dimension of such a move is a critical factor that will shape the timeline and viability of any plan.
At this stage, there is no public timetable for when a full relocation of processor manufacturing to Russia might occur. The situation is under discussion, with stakeholders evaluating the strategic, technical, and economic implications. The outcome will depend on a mix of government policy, supplier readiness, and the ability of domestic plants to bridge the technological gap to maintain product performance and supply reliability. The conversation continues to evolve as companies reassess how to balance independence in chip production with the realities of global supply chains. These developments have drawn broad attention from industry observers and policy analysts alike, who are watching for concrete milestones in the process and production roadmap as the market for high-end processors evolves. [VG Times]