Russia and China Team Up to Build Joint Chip Design Software

Faced with mounting tech sanctions, the two countries are collaborating on homegrown EDA tools to break away from Western chip design monopolies.

Russia and China have launched a collaborative effort to develop electronic design automation (EDA) software for the semiconductor industry. According to CNews, the project aims to integrate domestic technologies from both nations into a unified platform, allowing for the design of processors, printed circuit boards, and other critical components without relying on Western tools.

Experts note that developing mature EDA systems typically takes decades, but time is a luxury neither country can afford. To accelerate progress, the initiative is focused on a hybrid model that combines Russian and Chinese engineering. China's particular interest lies in Russia’s advances in computer-aided engineering (CAE) technologies.

Meanwhile, three R&D projects are already underway in Russia to create national EDA solutions. By 2028, the country plans to roll out 216 modular tools for chip design, including support for 16-nanometer manufacturing processes.

Spokespeople from both sides say that unified standards and cross-border knowledge sharing are key to challenging the Western stronghold in this strategically vital sector.