Indian National Indicted For Exporting Aviation Products To Russia

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – On November 20, the U.S. Justice Department indicted 57-year-old Sanjay Kaushik of Oregon for conspiring to export controlled aviation components to Russia.

Kaushik was charged with attempting to illegally export dual-use aviation components—designed for both civilian and military purposes—from the U.S. to Russian end users, in violation of the Export Control Reform Act. Additionally, he has been accused of making false statements in connection with the export and attempting to send a navigation and flight control system to Russia through India.

Kaushik, who was arrested in Miami on October 17, was charged after an investigation revealed his role in a scheme that began as early as March 2023. He allegedly conspired with others to unlawfully acquire aerospace goods and technology from U.S. suppliers for entities in Russia. The components were falsely described as being for Kaushik’s Indian company, when, in fact, they were intended for Russian customers.

One key item involved in the scheme was the Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS), a device crucial for aircraft navigation and flight control. The AHRS, which requires a license from the U.S. Department of Commerce to be exported to countries like Russia, was obtained under false pretenses. Kaushik and his co-conspirators claimed the device would be used in a civilian helicopter by his company in India. However, the AHRS was intended to be shipped to Russia. The device was eventually seized before being exported.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million for each count of the indictment.