The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has terminated a contract with the Scientific Research Institute of Instruments (NIIIP), part of Rosatom, for the development of silicon wafer production technology. The project, known as Vector-150, aimed to establish domestic manufacturing of 150 mm neutron-transmutation-doped silicon wafers.
The ministry canceled the agreement due to the institute's failure to complete the first stage of the project by the May 15, 2026, deadline. NIIIP did not submit the required progress reports or acceptance documentation. Consequently, the ministry imposed a penalty of 1.5 ₽ million on the institute.
The original contract, signed in December 2024 with a total value of 400 ₽ million, was scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The project was intended to support the production of domestic power electronics, including IGBTs, thyristors, and diodes for electric transport and charging infrastructure.
The technical requirements specified an annual production capacity of at least 100,000 wafers. Experts suggest that the termination of the contract will delay the development of this domestic production capability until at least 2028, as the ministry seeks a new contractor for the project.
