Canadian-made parts found in Iranian attack drones used by Russia in Ukraine, 4 December 2022

An investigative project by a Kyiv think tank has identified Canadian-made parts in one type of attack drone used by Russia in its military assault on Ukraine.

Statewatch says it has found antenna components from Ottawa-based Tallysman Wireless in Iranian-made Shahed 136 drones that form part of Russia’s arsenal in its invasion of Ukraine. The investigation, led by Inna Popovych, a Ukraine investigative journalist, was undertaken by a Statewatch project called Trap Aggressor.

The Shahed 136 drones, also called kamikaze or suicide drones because they are destroyed when they deliver their explosive payload, have been used against Ukrainian soldiers, civilians and infrastructure.

Reached in Ottawa, Tallysman’s president, Gyles Panther, told The Globe and Mail that the company has “become painfully aware” that some of its components are being “misused in sophisticated military guidance systems” in Russia’s war on Ukraine.

“It is sometimes assumed that we are somehow complicit in this usage. We absolutely are not,” Mr. Panther said. “Tallysman is 100-per-cent committed to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.”

He said the company does not sell any of its products to Iran or Russia and its distribution network is prohibited from selling to countries, individuals or entities that are the target of sanctions. It also does not sell its goods to third parties, which to Tallysman’s knowledge supply products to these countries, he said.

Mr. Panther said Tallysman is co-operating with Canada Border Services Agency and other government agencies and he said he believes that the antenna parts in question were likely diverted to Iran through distributors using “fake company fronts” to hide their intention...

Mr. Panther said the company is “now hypervigilant about what products we sell to whom” and, to the extent possible, examine the identities of its customers and the end use they intend for Tallsyman products...