Highlights:
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Indian national sentenced to 30 months in US federal prison
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Conspiracy involved exporting aviation and flight control components to Russia
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Parts were falsely declared as intended for civilian use in India
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Scheme violated US export control and national security laws related to Russia
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Defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in October
A 58-year-old Indian national has been sentenced to 30 months in US federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to illegally export controlled aviation components from the United States to Russia, in violation of US export control laws, authorities said.
Sanjay Kaushik, a resident of Delhi, was sentenced by a federal court in Oregon after pleading guilty to conspiring with others to unlawfully export sensitive aerospace technology to Russian end users. The case was prosecuted under laws designed to prevent US-origin technologies with potential military applications from being transferred to restricted countries, including Russia.
Russia-linked export scheme involving aviation technology
According to US prosecutors, the conspiracy involved attempts to export aviation and flight control components from Oregon to Russia without the required licenses. The items were classified as dual-use technologies, meaning they could be used for both civilian and military purposes, placing them under strict US export controls when destined for Russia.
Kaushik and his co-conspirators allegedly arranged the purchase of these components from US suppliers while falsely claiming they were intended for use by an India-based company. In reality, investigators determined the equipment was meant for Russian end users, in direct violation of US law.
The exports were governed by the Export Control Reform Act, which regulates the transfer of sensitive US technologies to foreign countries, particularly those like Russia that are subject to extensive trade and security restrictions.
US officials highlight national security risks tied to Russia
Announcing the sentence, US Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott Bradford said Kaushik’s actions were deliberate and financially motivated. “It was a calculated, profit-driven scheme involving repeated transactions, substantial gains, and coordination with foreign co-conspirators, including sanctioned Russian entities,” Bradford said. “This defendant sought, on multiple occasions, to undermine safeguards critical to US national security and foreign policy for his own personal gain.”
US authorities stressed that export violations involving Russia are treated as serious national security threats, particularly when the technology involved can support military or aerospace capabilities.
In addition to the prison term, the court ordered Kaushik to serve 36 months of supervised release after completing his sentence.
Russia exports falsely declared as civilian use in India
Court documents show that the conspiracy began in early September 2023. Kaushik and others worked to unlawfully acquire aerospace goods and technology from US suppliers under the pretense that the equipment was intended for civilian use in India.
Among the items obtained was an Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS), a critical aviation device that provides navigation and flight control data to aircraft. The AHRS is subject to strict licensing requirements when exported to certain countries, including Russia, due to its potential military applications.
To obtain export approval, Kaushik and his associates falsely stated that his Indian company was the end user and claimed the AHRS would be installed in a civilian helicopter. Investigators later determined these statements were false and that the true destination of the technology was Russia.
US authorities intercepted the shipment before it could be exported, preventing the controlled aviation component from reaching Russian end users.
Arrest, indictment, and guilty plea in Russia export case
Kaushik was arrested in Miami in October 2024 following the filing of a criminal complaint and the issuance of an arrest warrant. He has remained in custody since his arrest.
In November 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland indicted him on multiple charges, including conspiracy, attempted illegal export of controlled technology, and making false statements to the US government in connection with the Russia-bound exports.
In October last year, Kaushik pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to sell export-controlled aviation components with both civilian and military applications to Russian end users. The plea resolved the case and led to this week’s sentencing.
US government warns against illegal exports to Russia
US officials said the case sends a clear message that violations of export control laws, particularly those involving Russia, will be aggressively pursued. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said the prosecution reflected the seriousness with which the US views such offenses.
“Those who scheme to circumvent US export control laws, especially when it involves technologies with military applications, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Eisenberg said. “The security of the United States demands that perpetrators of deceitful schemes like this one are held accountable for their actions.”
The case comes amid continued US efforts to restrict the flow of sensitive technology to Russia, particularly in sectors linked to aviation, defense, and advanced manufacturing. Authorities reiterated that individuals and companies involved in attempts to bypass these restrictions face significant criminal penalties.
US prosecutors said enforcement actions related to Russia will remain a priority as part of broader national security and foreign policy objectives.
