New Delhi, Jan 17: An Indian businessman from Delhi has been sentenced to 30 months in a United States federal prison for orchestrating a scheme to illegally ship sensitive aviation technology to Russia. Sanjay Kaushik, 58, received the two-and-a-half-year term this week after conspiring to bypass export control laws designed to protect national security.
The prosecution revealed that Kaushik attempted to procure advanced flight control systems from an Oregon-based supplier by claiming the parts were for his own company in India. In reality, the equipment was destined for Russian end users, including sanctioned entities. US Attorney Scott Bradford noted that the defendant’s actions were calculated and entirely driven by personal profit.
“This was a profit-driven scheme involving repeated transactions and coordination with foreign co-conspirators,” the attorney mentioned during the sentencing.
Following his prison term, Kaushik will face 36 months of supervised release. The case centered on the attempted export of an Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS), which provides critical navigation data. While Kaushik claimed the device would be used for civilian helicopters in India, federal investigators found the paperwork was a front for Russian military and civilian interests.
Assistant Attorney General John Eisenberg directly said that those who attempt to circumvent export laws for technology with military applications will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Kaushik was originally arrested in Miami in October 2024 and has remained in custody since.
